DFA’s chartered flight from Riyadh repatriates 354 Filipinos on Christmas eve

A total of 354 distressed or stranded overseas Filipino workers from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were brought home by the Department on 23 December 2021. (Photos courtesy of Nabilah RbMaruhom)

MANILA, 24 DECEMBER 2021 – A special repatriation flight chartered by the Department of Foreign Affairs,  through its Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, arrived on 23 December 2021 in Manila, bringing home 354 distressed or stranded overseas Filipino workers from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"Knowing full well a Filipino’s yearning to be with their loved ones during Christmas, the government exerted its utmost to bring home our kababayan so that they could celebrate this season of cheer with their families,” stated Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola. 

The repatriates expressed thanks for the opportunity to be reunited with their families, thanking the Philippine government for mounting the special repatriation flight. Most had given up hope of going home as they could not find flights back to the Philippines.

They will undergo stringent facility-based quarantine provided by the Philippine government, in conformity with the health protocols set by the Department of Health - Bureau of Quarantine, including RT-PCR Testing for COVID19.

The Philippine government upholds the One-Country Team Approach by continuously collaborating with the Department of Health, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Department of Transportation, and the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure the safety and welfare of our kababayan. END

(Photos courtesy of Nabilah RbMaruhom)