26 April 2016 - Five (5) Overseas Filipinos (OFs) from Syria who availed of the Government’s Mandatory Repatriation Programme (MRP) are set to arrive in the Philippines on April 28, 4:00 PM on board flight EK332 at the Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The five OFs previously worked and resided in Damascus, Aleppo and Latakia governorates before deciding to avail of the MRP, and sought shelter at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus’ Halfway Quarters.

The arrival in the Philippines of the five OFs brings the total number of the Filipinos repatriated from Syria to 5,791 since the unrest started in 2011.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus continues to coordinate with the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for the issuance of exit visas for OFWs who are currently sheltered at the Embassy’s Halfway Quarters.

As in the past, the issuance of the exit visas to the five Filipinos and payment of other fees and related exit requirements and penalties were facilitated and waived by the Syrian government.

With the Alert Level 4 still in place and the MRP being implemented, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus spares no effort in convincing Filipinos to avail of this repatriation program. The Embassy invites the next-of-kin of OFWs still in Syria to get in touch with the Embassy at the following contact details:

Mobile: 00963-116-132-626; 00963-949-155-557; 00963-934-957-926;

Facebook: The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Damascus

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The next-of-kin of Filipinos still in Syria are also encouraged to provide information of their family member’s whereabouts or last known contact details in Syria so that they can be contacted and immediate assistance can be extended to them.

The Philippine Embassy in Damascus likewise continuously coordinates with the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for the issuance of exit visas for OFWs who are currently sheltered at the Halfway Quarters. END