Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who were not able to return to the Philippines because of the travel ban imposed to curb the spread of the new COVID-19 variant can participate in the special commercial flights prepared by the government.
According to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, special commercial flights for OFWs from countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Oman, and United Arab Emirates are set to bring back stranded OFWs.
However, these commercial flights are under strict guidelines such as the creation of the Special Working Group (SWG) in determining the implementing protocols against these special flights through the help of concerned airlines.
The SWG will be made up of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Transportation, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Prior to the take-off of these commercial flights, certain approvals must be made and passengers are strictly Filipinos only.
There will be a follow-up announcement regarding the guidelines on the exemptions for those who are under non-Philippine government and Philippine government repatriation.
It can be recalled that the ban on the said countries is still in effect causing huge troubles to Filipinos who have expiring or expired visas.
Source: GMA News
