MANILA, Philippines — The government is set to repatriate the bodies of more overseas Filipino workers who died of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia next week.
In a statement posted on its website, the Department of Labor and Employment said that there would be 57 bodies to be flown to the Philippines in what would be the third batch of repatriation. They would arrive on July 28.
Of that figure, 30 will come from Jeddah, 20 from Riyadh, and seven from Al Khobar.
So far, the DOLE has brought home 137 OFWs who died of COVID-19 and other causes.
“We will accord our fallen modern-day heroes the same grand welcome and memorial ceremonies due them upon their arrival,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
Bello added that the same health protocols would be observed for the third batch of repatriates wherein the COVID-19 fatalities would be immediately brought to crematoriums upon arrival.
“Our government shares the grief of the bereaved families of our dear OFWs. But we continue to seek their understanding to strictly adhere to the protocols for their own good and that of our communities,” said Bello.
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