THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) sought an additional P7.5 billion budget to be used in repatriating overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wish to go home.
In a virtual press briefing, Owwa Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has already asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for additional funds.
"The signals are positive from the DBM and the government," he said.
He said the amount is based on their projected expenses for September 16 to December 31, 2021.
"This is assuming there are 2,000 arrivals per day until December 31, 2021, especially with the Christmas season forthcoming," he said.
Cacdac said the amount will cover the costs for food, transportation and quarantine hotel of repatriated OFWs.
"About 70 percent of the budget is for hotel quarantine as the quarantine period has been extended to 14 days for those coming from some countries," he said.
Cacdac said Owwa still has P5.2 billion given by the Office of the President last June, which is good until September 15.
A total of 646,623 OFWs have been repatriated since the start of the pandemic. (HDT / SunStar Philippines)