DFA Welcomes Home Repatriates from Manado, Indonesia Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

GENERAL SANTOS CITY 22 July 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) - Consular Office (CO) in General Santos welcomed home a total of 51 Filipinos in Manado, Indonesia at the General Santos City International Airport amid the COVID-19 crisis on 17 July 2020. The repatriation was made possible in cooperation with Philippine Consulate General in Manado and Philippine Embassy in Jakarta.

With full support and cooperation of the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines - Eastern Mindanao Command, Local Government Units of General Santos, Davao, Davao Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, and partner agencies, DFA-CO in Gensan successfully coordinated the return of repatriates via Philippine Air Force C130 aircraft, in accordance with guidelines on community quarantine set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The 51 repatriates went through necessary health protocols upon arrival to ensure their safety, and that of the public. They will also undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing and 14-day quarantine which will be facilitated and strictly monitored by their respective local government units.

Remaining true to its mandate, the DFA continues to serve Overseas Filipinos in distress and promote their welfare and interest through a whole-of-nation approach. END