DFA – OUMWA Team to Depart for Wuhan Repatriation Operation

DFA-OUMWA Senior Special Assistant Olivia V. Palala discusses details of the repatriation operation with airport officials.

CLARK FREEPORT 08 February 2020 — A team from the Department of Foreign Affairs Home Office is scheduled to fly tonight from Clark to Wuhan City to assist Filipinos to be repatriated from the epicenter of the 2019-nCoV ARD together with a medical team from the Department of Health.

The 3-member Health Emergency Response Team (HERT), composed of Mr. Rowell Casaclang, Mr. Abdul Rahman Pacasum, and Mr. Richard delos Santos from the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (OUMWA), will be joined by a 5-member medical team from the Department of Health (DOH). They will be on a Royal Air flight arranged by the DFA after receiving clearance from Chinese authorities.

According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola, the team "is already experienced in repatriation operations, and has been briefed and prepared for this particular assignment. They will also undergo simulation exercise at Clark International Airport a day before the flight to ensure fast and efficient operation."

On the flight back to Clark, the DFA team will assist the repatriates to complete immigration documents, and other requirements.

On Sunday, upon arrival in Clark, the team will ensure orderly disembarkation and transfer to the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City, Tarlac which will be their home for the 14-day mandatory quarantine period.

The crew who manned the flight will likewise be subjected to the 14-day quarantine period. END

DFA-OUMWA Team arrives at the Clark International Airport for the repatriation operations with the Department of Health team.