SENT HOME. A total of 151 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who were repatriated from the Middle East and the United Kingdom due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), were sent home on Saturday (June 20, 2020) after recovering from the illness. The repatriates, composed of seafarers and land-based OFWs, stayed at the We Heal As One Center-Philippine Arena in Bulacan. (Photo courtesy of BCDA)
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – A total of 151 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who were repatriated from the Middle East and the United Kingdom due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), were sent home on Saturday after recovering from the dreaded disease.
The repatriates, composed of seafarers and land-based OFWs stayed at the We Heal As One Center-Philippine Arena in the province.
We Heal As One Centers were put up by the government and the private sector for Covid-19 patients with mild and no symptoms.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and National Action Plan Against Covid-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Secretary Vince Dizon led the send-off ceremony.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Hans Leo Cacdac, Bureau of Quarantine director Roberto Salvador, and Iglesia Ni Cristo official and Maligaya Development Corporation CEO Glicerio “Ka GP” Santos IV also attended the event.
“Natutuwa tayo na makakauwi na ang ating mga OFWs sa kani-kanilang pamilya, at pagkatapos nga ng mga pagsubok na dinaanan nila, sila ngayon ay negatibo na sa Covid. Saludo din po kami sa ating mga medical front-liners na siniguro ang mabilis na paggaling ng ating mga kababayan (We are glad that our OFWs can return to their respective families, and after all the trials they have gone through, they are now negative for Covid. We also salute our medical front-liners who have ensured the speedy recovery of our countrymen),” Duque said in a statement.
The OFWs residing in parts of Luzon were transported to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, while those going to Visayas and Mindanao were brought to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanilang kooperasyon at pagsunod sa mga protocols ng gobyerno dahil hangad lamang natin ay ligtas silang makakabalik sa kanilang mga tahanan (We are thankful for their cooperation and adherence to the protocols of the government because our only desire is for them to return home safely),” Dizon said.
As of June 20, a total of 367 patients have recovered from Covid-19 at the Philippine Arena facility. (PNA)
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