OWWA ready to repatriate OFWs in Shanghai, help OFWs in HK amid COVID-19 surge

By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Tuesday said it is ready to help and repatriate overseas Filipino workers in Shanghai amid lockdowns due to the surge of COVID-19 cases. In a radio interview, OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac said they are working with the consulate in Shanghai through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Hong Kong. “Kung meron gustong umuwi ay handa tayong tumulong sa kanila (If there are OFWs who would like to go back to the Philippines, we are ready to assist them),” he said. Cacdac said so far OWWA has not received any reports of Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 in Shanghai. According to him, the local government can provide treatment for free if they tested positive. Some Filipino musicians temporarily lost their jobs due to the lockdowns, Cacdac said. He gave the assurance that OWWA can help the affected OFWs. Hong Kong Meanwhile, Cacdac said the number of OFWs in Hong Kong who contracted COVID-19 is now at 346. He said 52% of them are staying in the isolation facilities of their employers, while others are in government and non-government facilities. According to him, there are no more reports of termination of OFWs due to the disease. OWWA debt Regarding the P1.7-billion OWWA owes the owners of hotels used as quarantine facilities in the Philippines, Cacdac said the Department of Budget and Management already released P1.2 billion for the payment. —KG, GMA News

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