PH Consulate General in Manado Repatriates 26 Filipinos in Distress

Wearing the international color for safety and rescue, Team Manado from the  Philippine Consulate General facilitated the repatriation of 26 Filipinos in distress in Indonesia and helped them meet strict requirements for travel during this pandemic. (Mandao PCG photo)

MANADO 11 August 2021 — The Philippine Consulate General in Manado facilitated the repatriation of 26 Filipinos, most of whom were fishermen, in North Sulawesi amid strict protocols to counter the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia last 08 August.

While awaiting clearance from immigration authorities for the Filipinos’ repatriation, the Consulate General visited them in their billeting quarters in immigration facilities and delivered food and hygiene items. When visitations were temporarily suspended due to increased COVID-19 prevalence in their locality, the Consulate General initiated group video calls with the group. The Consulate General also maintained regular contact with their families through a Messenger group chat where updates were regularly uploaded by the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Team. To prepare the repatriates for the trip, the Consulate General bought a pair of rubber shoes for each of them, and provided them with meals and welfare assistance.

The Consulate General obtained the crucial cooperation of the Provincial Health Agency of the Province of North Sulawesi which administered the RT-PCR test to the repatriates and produced the results in time for their departure.

The repatriates left Manado at around 7:00 AM and arrived in Jakarta at around 9:20 AM. They departed Jakarta at around 1:00 PM and arrived in Manila at around 6:10 PM. They were received by the Department of Tourism and Department of Social Welfare and Development and taken to accredited quarantine facilities. To comply with IATF COVID-19  protocols, the repatriates will be quarantined for 14 days prior to their onward travel to their respective provinces. END

For more information, visit https://www.manadopcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinManado/.