The number of stranded OFWs who return home continues to rise.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration announced that there are already a total of 2,031 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded in Saudi Arabia who were repatriated.
This figure is since the month of July 2016, OWWA said.
On Tuesday, October 25, a total of 154 more Filipino workers stranded in Saudi Arabia arrived home.
The OFWs arrived on Tuesday afternoon aboard Saudi Airlines flight SV 872. Upon arrival, they were oriented by government officials regarding the programs and services available to them.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and attached agencies to prioritize the repatriation of Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia who lost their jobs due the current oil crisis in the oil-producing country.
In a statement, OWWA said these OFWs can avail of the Relief Assistance Program (RAP) and other financial and business assistance packages offered by the national government.
OFWs staying at the OWWA Halfway Home may also be covered with their post-repatriation service expenses, including land transportation, food, and toiletries.
As of October 21, OWWA has distributed P400,804,031.06 in the form of RAP to 18,255 stranded OFWs.
Aside from this, the agency has also distributed food and hygiene kits worth P2,310,295,82 to 13,245 OFWs in Saudi Arabia and P68,516,000.00 to 10,846 OFW families in the Philippines.
Based on records, there is an estimated 9,000 to 11,000 Filipino workers who were retrenched when falling oil prices destabilized the Saudi economy and forced construction companies to lay-off their employees.
After losing their jobs, numerous Filipinos remain in Saudi to settle their legal cases and claim their end of service benefits and salary or transfer to financially-stable companies.
Previously, the Saudi King donated big amount of funds for the OFWs who are waiting to be hired by other companies in the country which their economy depends on oil production.