DFA Warmly Welcomes Home 6 Land-Based, 299 Sea-Based OFWs

PASAY CITY 13 April 2020 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ends Easter Monday by welcoming home six land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Doha, Qatar and 299 seafarers from the following cruise ships: seven from MSC Sinfonia, 47 from Norwegian Jewel, 107 from Carnival Inspiration, and 138 from Carnival Miracle, who arrived on 13 April 2020 at NAIA Terminal 1.

"Ang sarap naman ng pakiramdam makauwi!" (It feels great to finally be home!) exclaimed one of the seafarers upon being warmly welcomed by the DFA at NAIA.

The repatriation of the seafarers was facilitated by the Philippine Embassies in Brasilia and Washington DC and their manning agencies, namely: MSC Cruises, CF Sharp, and United Philippine Lines (UPL). The manning agencies shouldered the airfare of their respective crew members and provided them with transportation and accommodation upon their arrival.

The repatriation of the six OFWs from Qatar was facilitated by the Philippine Embassy in Doha, in coordination with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Qatar. Upon arrival in Manila, the OFWs were provided with temporary shelter by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

All Filipinos underwent rigorous health checks and inspection conducted by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) of the Department of Health. The repatriates proudly carry with them certificates from the BOQ instructing them to undergo home quarantine for 14 days.

The DFA, with its Embassies and Consulates abroad, guided by the one-country team and “whole-of-government approach”, leads the country's repatriation efforts and works with its partner agencies in the government, DOH, DOJ, DOLE, DOTr, their attached agencies and bureaus, as well as the private sector, in ensuring that all Filipinos who wish to be repatriated are brought home. END

(Photos by DFA-OUMWA).