Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello revealed that the number of stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in quarantine facilities in Metro Manila has reached 6,000, as of October 21.

This is still due to the impasse between the Philippine Red Cross and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). PhilHealth has yet to pay almost Php1 billion to the PRC for its COVID-19 testing.

“Mula pa nung October 15 ay nakatengga na ‘yung OFW dahil mabagal yung swabbing. Dati isa dalawang araw lang, ngayon umaabot na ng isang linggo,” Bello said in a press briefing.

Bello said that these OFWs are in over 120 quarantine hotels in Manila and the longer they stay, the more costly it is for the government.

Malacañang said that PhilHealth hopes to settle half of its debt this week and the remaining balance not later than next week.