DFA-chartered flight from Dubai brings home 382 Pinoys

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday successfully repatriated 382 distressed Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The repatriates took a DFA-chartered Cebu Pacific flight, the eighth to be mounted since June, bringing to 4,106 the total number of Filipinos sent home from the UAE.

The 382 repatriates, including seven pregnant women, arrived in Davao and were relieved to be soon returning home to their families.

Upon arrival, they were assisted by representatives of the City Government of Davao, the DFA Regional Consular Office in Davao, Department of Health, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Philippine Coast Guard, as well as members of the Davao One-Stop Shop team.

The DFA also provided each of the repatriates USD200 (PHP10,000) as reintegration assistance.

In compliance with health and safety protocols, all passengers were administered reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests within 48 hours before they departed from the UAE and allowed to board only if tests yielded negative results.

They will undergo stringent quarantine in facilities provided by Davao City and the OWWA. They will also be tested again before the end of their quarantine.

“The DFA and partner agencies continue to work closely together to ensure that our distressed kababayans are repatriated and brought home safely, taking into consideration the interest of public health,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said in a statement

At least five more DFA-chartered repatriation flights are scheduled this month for Filipinos in the UAE who wish to return to the Philippines.

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai will continue to accept applications from Filipinos in the UAE who wish to join these chartered flights. (PR)