PH Embassy in Phnom Penh Facilitates Return to Manila of Another Batch of 68 Overseas Filipinos
The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh facilitates the return to Manila of another batch of overseas Filipinos. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
PHNOM PENH 15 June 2020 – The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh facilitated the return to Manila of another batch of overseas Filipinos last week. Onboard a special commercial flight of Cambodia Angkor Air, 68 self-paying Filipino passengers arrived in NAIA at 4:08 am of 11 June 2020. Two stranded foreign passengers, both married to Filipinos, were on the same flight. The Embassy cooperated with the airlines to ensure that the plane tickets can be offered at very affordable rates. The Department of Foreign Affairs closely coordinated with relevant authorities in the Philippines to obtain the necessary government clearances. This brings the total number of Filipinos repatriated by the Embassy to 381.
Even after two repatriation flights organized by the Embassy, there were still many Filipinos who have expressed their desire to return home. Many of the Filipino passengers were adversely affected by the economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Others were stranded in Cambodia for lack of available commercial flights to the Philippines.
Others, like Catherine Cruz Martin, had a family emergency. “My heartfelt thanks to the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh and all the staff who facilitated our repatriation this 11 June 2020. My dearest mom passed away and as much as I want to go back home, the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh expressed their support by pushing hard for this flight to go through. Miracles happen, and God uses people and circumstances to make it to life, I am forever grateful,” said Ms. Martin.
Upon arrival in Manila, 73-year old Sister Violeta Barrameda Cecilio commended the Embassy’s efforts. “I am impressed by the action taken by our Embassy. The process was smoothly facilitated and the staff were polite and patient to answer our questions. No wonder it was blessed with a clearance that could have been delayed and made some OFWs waste time and lose resources. The Staff's follow-up in the airport showed real concern to our Filipino brothers and sisters. The flight was smooth and the process was organized with helping hands to fill up several forms. A comment came out that non-OFWs should have been separated from OFWs because some questions do not concern them. Process could have been faster. However, overall, I personally saw the hard work to facilitate the exit from Cambodia and arrival in the Philippines. Congratulations! Be assured of our continuous prayers for you all,” said Sister Violeta.
The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh is continuing its efforts to assist Filipinos in the Kingdom cope with the impact of the pandemic. The Embassy’s next initiative is the distribution of care packages to Filipinos severely affected by the pandemic. END
(Phnom Penh PE photos)
(Phnom Penh PE photos)
(Phnom Penh PE photos)
For more information, visit https://www.phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinCambodia/, or https://twitter.com/PhilippineIn.