Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 4) – The number of infections among Filipinos abroad has surpassed 1,800, as 68 more Filipinos contracted the coronavirus, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Monday.
The DFA said the new cases were mostly from Europe, while four recoveries and four deaths have been recorded in the same region and the Middle east.
The number of confirmed cases among Filipinos abroad has now reached 1,819, with 475 recoveries and 214 deaths. 1,130 overseas Filipinos, meanwhile, are undergoing treatment.
The DFA also noted that repatriation efforts have slowed down due to the temporary suspension of flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport until May 10.
Authorities advised returning Filipinos affected by the suspension to contact the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate in their area. Contact details may be accessed through the OFW Help Facebook page and the DFA website.
The DFA assured Filipinos abroad that it remains committed in ensuring the welfare of both sea-based and land-based Filipino workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nearly 86,000 overseas Filipino workers have been granted the one-time ₱10,000 cash assistance, the Department of Labor and Employment said on Sunday.
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The DOLE said it has received a total of 336,809 applications for cash aid from both stranded and evacuated OFWs as of May 1. Of this number, it said 85,849 have already been approved.
It added that 54,602 OFWs were evaluated by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices while the remaining 31,247 were assessed by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
