Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver reaffirmed the country team’s commitment to bringing Filipinos home from the Middle East, as the fifth repatriation flight from the UAE touched down at Villamor Airbase on Friday afternoon, April 3, carrying 344 nationals.
“As the Philippine Consulate General and the Migrant Workers Office in Dubai mounted another successful repatriation flight, the Philippine Country Team in the UAE remains committed and steadfast in facilitating the repatriation of our kababayan in line with President Marcos’ directive to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipinos in the Middle East,” Ver said.
Government staff and relatives welcomed the arrivals, which included 228 Overseas Filipino Workers, 68 of their dependents, and 48 stranded visit visa holders. One returning OFW expressed relief upon landing: “Maraming salamat po sa mabilis na aksyon ng gobyerno. Hindi po kami pinabayaan at ligtas kaming nakauwi.”
The flight was the seventh government-charted repatriation flight overall, and the fifth originating from the UAE, organized under a coordinated effort among the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Filipino communities in Dubai. Also involved were the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Presidential Management Staff, and the Office of the President.
Returning Filipinos received food, medical attention, financial assistance, transportation to their home provinces, and temporary accommodation where needed.
Ver added that operations would continue through the holidays. “Amid the Lenten season, all our lines remain open, and ready to support and assist our kababayan. We look forward to our repatriates joining their family and loved ones in time for the Easter holidays, as another batch is set to depart in the coming days,” he said.
Consul General Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III said the repatriation system was built to run alongside regular consular operations. “We have established a well-oiled repatriation system to assist our kababayans here needing assistance to go home,” he said.
The flights are being carried out under a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the safety and welfare of Filipinos affected by tensions in the Middle East.
