PH Embassy in Wellington Repatriates 60 Filipinos from New Zealand

Philippine Embassy in Wellington team facilitates with the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Auckland Airport officials the repatriation of 60 Filipinos at Aukland Airport.

Front row, from left: Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo, Vice Consul Feamor Tiosen, PAL Management Team Mr. Israel Fontanilla and Mr. Reyvee Valencia. Back row, from left: Assistance-To-Nationals Officer Marc Asilom and Auckland Airport Duty Operations Manager Mr. Gabriel Thompson.  (Wellington PE photo)

WELLINGTON 20 April 2020 - The Philippine Embassy in Wellington successfully facilitated today the repatriation of 60 Filipinos and their dependents from different parts of New Zealand, who were stranded due to the Alert Level 4 and border lockdown imposed by the New Zealand Government to flatten the COVID-19 curve.

Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo said, "The Embassy has been working closely with the New Zealand Government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Philippine Airlines for the repatriation of Filipinos needing to return to Manila. It mirrored what the New Zealand Embassy in Manila had done in coordinating the return of Kiwis and Filipinos with New Zealand jobs and ties.  It has been hectic on both sides, with many working parts to the operation – getting into contact with our people scattered all over our respective countries, arranging their tickets, preparing for quarantine, etc."

Filipinos on the said flight to Manila were more than happy to be able come home to their families. Most of them had expressed their appreciation and gratitude that such a repatriation flight was made available during this most difficult time.

The repatriation flight from New Zealand to the Philippines comes a week before the New Zealand Cabinet's decision to move from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 on 27 April 2020. END

Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo with Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, former chair of the GPH-MILF peace panel. (Wellington PE photo)

Philippine Embassy in Wellington personnel facilitate the requirements of the 60 repatriates to the Philippines from New Zealand. (Wellington PE photo)

Philippine Embassy in Wellington Team (Wellington PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNZ/.