BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 19 -- As the lead agency tasked to protect and promote the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents and in line with the constant effort of extending the optimum support to the member-OFWs especially in this time of the pandemic, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) – Regional Welfare Office (RWO) Caraga continues to provide assistance to repatriated OFWs upon their arrival at the various ports of entry inside and outside Caraga region.
As of August 6, 2020, OWWA-Caraga has assisted a total of 2,590 repatriated OFWs from Manila, Cebu and other parts of the country. Of this number, 618 were residents of Butuan City, 465 from Agusan del Norte, 384 from Agusan del Sur, 545 from Surigao del Norte, 517 from Surigao del Sur and 61 from Dinagat Islands.
The said OFWs were sent home through a series of chartered/sweeper flights and Malasakit voyages from Manila to various ports of entries such as in Laguindingan International Airport and Macabalan Port (Cagayan de Oro City), F. Bangoy International Airport (Davao City), Surigao City Port, Nasipit Port and Bancasi Airport in Butuan City.
They also adhered to all the established health protocols before they were allowed to board the plane and vessel that includes, Bureau of Quarantine Certificate yielding negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
All returning OFWs were provided with free food, food packs, transportation assistance during those times where the influx of Caraganon OFWs was in Cagayan de Oro City and referred to their respective LGUs for quarantine procedures and transportation from Butuan City going to their respective localities. With the resumption of flights in Bancasi Airport in July of this year, temporary shelter was provided to OFWs bound for Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands in cases of the late night or early dawn arrivals of the Philippine Airline sweeper flights and while waiting for their respective LGUs to fetch them.
Once fetched by their respective LGUs, the said OFWs will be subjected to the established health protocols in their areas such as the rapid antibody test and strict 14-day mandatory quarantine. For OFWs with positive rapid antibody test results, they will automatically undergo the RT-PCR for confirmatory testing and will stay at the designated quarantine facility for further quarantine procedures.
Meanwhile, OWWA-Caraga has three repatriation teams rendering services 24/7 at the airport and as the need arises. The repatriation assistance was successfully provided through the support and coordination with other partner agencies like Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), other members of the Regional Task Force for COVID-19 One Caraga Shield and most importantly the provincial and local government units here in Caraga region. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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