Jobs, income concerns persist as more OFWs return to PH for good

By: Cristina Eloisa Baclig - Content Researcher Writer / @inquirerdotnetINQUIRER.net / 04:09 PM April 05, 2022 FILE PHOTO: Overseas Filipino workers or OFWs wait at the airport. MANILA, Philippines—As the number of repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) continued to increase, concerns grow about the looming uncertainty that they would face at home—including employment and source of income. For many decades, OFWs leave their families to try their luck and look for better job opportunities across the globe. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—as well as other challenges impacting countries—has led to a reverse diaspora and left many OFWs wondering about what will be their next step to provide for their families as they return home. Over two years into the pandemic, a key question is still begging to be answered—What will happen now to those already home? Huge reverse diaspora continues Last March 31, 385 Filipinos from Beirut and Kuwait were brought home by Cebu Pacific (CEB) via a charter flight arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to repatriate distressed OFWs. “We are happy to support the government in bringing home more kababayans. We are honored to enable them to reunite with their loved ones after such a long time,” said Alex Reyes, chief strategy officer at Cebu Pacific in a statement released on April 4.

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