DFA repatriates 26 distressed Filipinos from Jordan

“We are more than happy that we were able to bring home our fellow Filipinos just as the Christmas season begins. We stand ready to bring them home to their families,” DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said in a statement. (File Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA— A total of 26 distressed Filipino workers from Jordan have arrived in Manila just in time for Christmas under the Amnesty program of the Jordan government, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Wednesday.

“We are more than happy that we were able to bring home our fellow Filipinos just as the Christmas season begins. We stand ready to bring them home to their families,” DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said in a statement.

The 26, including a minor, were received by representatives from the DFA at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday and were accompanied by an assistance-to-nationals (ATN) Officer from the Philippine embassy in Amman from their journey in Jordan to Manila.

Through its ATN fund, the agency shouldered the 26 Filipinos’ transportation expenses. The group also got cash assistance to help them with their most basic needs.

According to the agency, during the March-August 2019 amnesty, at least 297 overseas Filipino workers were repatriated using the agency funds. This batch availed of the second amnesty program offered by the Jordan government this year.

As of July 2018, there are at least 44,941 Filipinos residing in Jordan, about 20,470 of whom are engaged in household service.