DFA sees repatriation surge as NAIA resumes int’l flights

The pandemic has led to abrupt cancelations of scheduled commercial flights, leaving many overseas Filipinos relying on chartered flights to bring them home. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – More Filipinos affected by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic are expected to return home as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 resumes its international operations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

“With the resumption of international flight operations at NAIA Terminal 3 beginning today, 8 July 2020, the DFA expects a rise in repatriations and assures its steadfast commitment to effectively facilitating and coordinating the safe return of our nationals affected by this pandemic,” it said in a statement.

The pandemic has led to abrupt cancelations of scheduled commercial flights, leaving many overseas Filipinos relying on chartered flights to bring them home.

Over 68,000 Filipinos have returned to the Philippines since the outbreak began, according to the latest data of the DFA.

The agency’s most recent repatriation effort allowed the return of some 232 Filipinos from Thailand.

It also reported that 74 more Filipinos tested positive for coronavirus abroad, raising the total to 8,762.

The agency noted that 19 more recovered and 13 died, bringing the number to 5,237 and 590, respectively.

Currently, the active cases among overseas Filipinos stand at 2,935 — at least 122 are registered in the Asia Pacific, 478 in Europe, 2,216 in the Middle East/Africa, and 119 in the Americas.