OFWs lament being stranded in UAE due to Philippine COVID-19 travel ban

Several overseas Filipino workers remained stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to flight cancellations imposed by Manila as part of its COVID-19 measures. advertisement According to JP Soriano's report on "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday, the OFWs remain stranded after the Philippines extended its travel restrictions on travelers from the UAE, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Oman, Nepal, and Bangladesh until July 15 due to the more transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus. Among the stranded OFWs is Mark Anthony Miranda, who wishes to be home by the time his wife gives birth to their first child. "Excited na lahat ng family ko at tsaka siyempre ako, excited din ako. First baby, gusto ko makita 'yong baby so 'yong anxiety nandoon, nag-iisip ka kaya masakit na hindi makauwi, hindi makasama family mo," Miranda said. (My whole family is excited, especially me. It's my first baby and I'm a little anxious. When you think about it, it's terrible that I can't go home and be with my family.) The Philippine government already conducted repatriation flights from the countries included in the travel ban, but due to the high number of OFWs, some have remained stranded. Miranda, meanwhile, called on the government to allow commercial flights. "Hindi rin namin ma-gets kung bakit repatriation lang kinukuha nila kasi ang mga repatriation ay galing din naman dito. Puwede rin naman kaming dumaan sa same procedure," he said. Malacañang earlier said it will soon allow special commercial flights from the countries included in the ban. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News

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