PARANAQUE CITY, May 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai has distributed cash assistance to around 7,000 overseas Filipinos in the country, a diplomat said over the weekend.

During Friday's edition of the Laging Handa Public Briefing aired on the People's Television (PTV), Philippine Consulate in Dubai Consul General Paul Raymond Cortes said that aside from the assistance from DOLE's AKAP for OFWs, DSWD is providing relief packs and financial assistance to undocumented OFWs.

Cortes also reminded the overseas Filipino workers in Dubai to be careful in their AKAP application and to make sure that all requirements are provided to fast-track the appeal.

"We'd like to assure ang mga kababayan natin, na nandito po ang ating konsulado at embahada para tulungan yung mga kababayan, tutulungan kayo kung ano mang yung mga kailangan niyo," said Consul General Cortes. He also asks for patience of overseas Filipinos due to the large number of those seeking assistance from the government due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many OFWs have returned to work when establishments in Dubai opened on May 27. Following the Eid Holiday, a large number of OFWs who are employed in entertainment and tourism sector have gone back to their jobs as Dubai opens economy.

"Sinasabi din po ng gobyerno dito, although movement restrictions have been eased out, medyo maluwag, pwedeng maglakad, pwedeng pumunta sa mga mall, ay nandiyan pa rin po ang virus, kung kay'at kailangan may precautions pa rin." Cortes added.

As of May 29, more than 32,000 COVID-19 positive cases have been recorded in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The country's officials have attributed the high numbers to the mass testing being conducted as almost 15-20 percent of the whole 10 million population have been tested. Around 40 Filipino national have passed away due to COVID-19 related complications. (PIA-NCR)