AKLAN Governor Florencio Miraflores urged Aklanons not to dread returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as possible carriers of the novel coronavirus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Miraflores said OFWs are also cautious of their health and that they needed to go home.

"We must be reminded that we consider OFWs as heroes for bringing in economic relief for all of us for several years. We must treat them with respect," Miraflores said.

Recently, all of five OFW seafarers who arrived in Iloilo City tested positive for Covid-19. With them were 37 Aklanons who are now quarantined in a hotel.

The Provincial Health Office is currently awaiting the result of their Covid-9 tests.

Jovel Cerezo, a worker of a cruise ship based in Germany, also made an appeal on social media, asking fellow Aklanons not to fear for their health.

Cerezo was one of the 688 OFWs who were repatriated by the Department of Foreign Affairs from Germany to Manila on Sunday, May 3.

"Before our repatriation flight, we already underwent 14 days quarantine in Frankfurt and we expect to do the same now that we are in Manila. We are willing to do whatever the national government tells us to do to ensure that we are not carriers of Covid-19 virus," said Cerezo, who is from the hinterland town of Libacao. (SunStar Philippines)