DFA Chartered Flight from Dubai Brings Additional 382 Overseas Filipinos Home

DAVAO 07 August 2021 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, mounted the first repatriation flight from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the month of August by bringing home 382 repatriates,  including 7 pregnant women, onboard a DFA-chartered Cebu Pacific flight on 06 August 2021.

Upon arrival, they were assisted by representatives from the City Government of Davao, DFA Regional Consular Office in Davao, Department of Health, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Coast Guard and other members of the Davao One Stop Shop team (OSS), and were provided by the DFA with USD 200 as reintegration assistance.

In compliance with health and safety protocols, all passengers underwent RT-PCR COVID-19 tests within forty-eight (48) hours prior to their departure from the UAE and allowed to board only if tests yielded negative results. They will undergo stringent quarantine in facilities provided by Davao City and OWWA, and will be tested again before the end of their quarantine.

"The DFA and partner agencies continue to work closely together to ensure that our distressed kababayan are repatriated and brought home safely, taking into consideration the interest of public health." DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola said in a statement.

This is the eighth DFA-chartered repatriation flight from the UAE since June 2021, bringing the total number of Filipinos repatriated from UAE since the start of the COVID pandemic to 4,106.  Five (5) more DFA-chartered repatriation flights scheduled this month for Filipinos in the UAE who wish to return to the Philippines. END