Around 80,000 OFWs to return home next year due to pandemic

On Thursday, a government official said that some 80,000 more Filipino migrant workers are expected to return to the Philippines in the first half of next year. 

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said in a public briefing that there are around 370,000 OFWs who have already gone back to their home provinces this year as the COVID-19 pandemic left businesses struggling. 

Cacdac also said 420,000 OFWs have so far benefited from the one-time P10,000 or $200 cash aid from the government. 

Patuloy lang po ang ating pagpi-payout sa ngayon and hopefully by year’s end ay magkakaroon ng ganap na payout doon sa mga beneficiaries natin, pati doon sa mga padating pa,

he said. 

The distribution of cash assistance was mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.