Send Home 24,000 Quarantined OFWs

Duterte to hold gov't execs accountable for any delay in migrant workers’ homecoming

- Genalyn D. Kabiling

All 24,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stuck in quarantine centers in Metro Manila must be sent back to their homes within a week, President Duterte ordered in his latest directive to three key government agencies.

“The President ordered the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment), OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) and the DOH (Department of Health) to send home the 24,000 OFWs to their respective provinces within one week,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said over government television.

“They may use all resources of government and tap transportation modes such as bus, airplanes, and ships so our OFWs can return to their homes,” he added.

The concerned government officials will be held accountable if they are unable to send home the OFWs stuck in quarantine centers in Metro Manila.

Roque said President Duterte is fed up with the delayed release of OFWs and wanted authorities to hasten the processing of their test results so that those who are cleared can finally return to their places of residence.

“Ang sabi niya, enough is enough. One week, otherwise, marami pong mananagot (He said enough is enough. He has given them one week. Otherwise, many will be held accountable),” Roque said in an interview over DZMM Monday.

Responding to President Duterte’s order, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said concerned government agencies are working to send home the 24,000 quarantined OFWs within three days.