NEARLY 300 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated Friday night, May 29, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In a statement, DOLE Undersecretary Claro Arellano 210 came from the Middle East, 54 from Asia, and 32 from Europe and Americas.

Arellano also said 264 of the returning OFWs are land-based workers, while 32 are sea-based workers.

"Philippine Overseas Labor Offices are continuing to facilitate the immediate repatriation of the stranded OFWs from various host countries affected by displacement and lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic," said Arellano.

He said the returning workers were provided airport assistance by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and subjected to quarantine and Covid-19 testing protocols.

Under existing guidelines, all returning OFWs are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a government-designated facility and should test negative for the novel coronavirus, or Sars-CoV-2, before they would be allowed to return home. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)