MANILA — The tally for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases among overseas Filipinos (OFs) rose to 8,803 after 11 new infections were reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday.
The agency said the new cases were registered in the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe.
It also recorded 11 new recoveries and two fatalities, bringing the number to 5,265 and 594, respectively.
As of this writing, a total of 2,944 are undergoing treatment — 119 in the Asia Pacific, 484 in Europe, 2,221 in Middle East/Africa, and 120 in the Americas. They comprise 33 percent of the total confirmed cases, according to the DFA.
Amid the ongoing pandemic, the Philippine government has also repatriated on Friday the remains of 49 Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, 20 of whom succumbed to the Covid-19.
“The DFA fully supports the efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in repatriating the remains of our countrymen from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the DFA said in a statement.
The plane carrying the remains landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and were received by the bereaved families and government officials including Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr.
“We share the grief of all the affected families and pray for the repose of the souls of their loved ones. We commit to working with our partner government agencies for the repatriation of all other remains as soon as possible,” the agency said. (PNA)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. honors 88 deceased OFWs from Saudi Arabia
MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. honored the 88 deceased overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose remains have returned home from Saudi Arabia at the heroes’ welcome held at the Villamor Air Base Sunday.
Locsin offered his condolences to the families of the deceased OFWs and recalled their sacrifice for the sake of their families.
“This is a matter close to my heart. I know the fear, the risk, and the deprivation that Overseas Filipino Workers have to endure in order to seek a better life for their families and loved ones,” Locsin said in his message of sympathy.
Locsin joined other government officials and the families of the deceased in receiving the remains of the deceased.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) joins the efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in repatriating the remains of Filipino nationals from Saudi Arabia.
Locsin said the mounting of these exclusive flights for the fallen kinfolk amid border closures and lockdowns is a first for any administration.
“I assure our people that the Department of Foreign Affairs and its embassies and consulates abroad will do whatever it takes to bring our distressed Overseas Filipinos home – on their feet or on their backs,” Locsin said. (DFA PR)