The first round of repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and their dependents from Dubai and Abu Dhabi was carried out after participating in the amnesty program in the UAE. The last flight PR659, which carried 80 OFWs and all their dependents, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on October 25, the OWWA announced.
"These compatriots are among those who availed themselves of the amnesty program in the UAE, which started on September 1, 2024, under which they were sent home without incurring penalties or fines," OWWA explained.
The next group, consisting of 91 Filipinos, was repatriated on October 17, which increased the total number of participants in the amnesty program to 400 people, reported the Philippine Embassy. Considering the submissions completed under the amnesty program on October 31, the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, Alfons A. Ver and the Consul General Marford M. Angeles continued to call for qualified Filipinos to avail themselves of the amnesty.
The amnesty program in the UAE provides foreign nationals with violations in the visa regime the opportunity to legalize their status or return to their country of origin without incurring fines.
In total, 290 Filipinos from Lebanon were fortunate to be repatriated by the Philippine government via chartered flight under the conditions of the escalating tension in the region, reported the Office for Migrant Workers (DMW).
This group, which arrived in Manila on October 26, consisted of 233 OFWs and 13 dependents, as well as 21 other foreign nationals and 23 of their dependents. The total number of repatriated from October of last year reached 903 OFWs and 47 dependents.
"We are ready to help those who are ready for repatriation. Their return is prepared according to the principle of a holistic approach, proposed by the President, with unprecedented financial support and other forms of assistance under the Bagong Pilipinas program," stated Labor Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
Flight MYW9071, organized by DMW, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, departed from Lebanon at 14:00 local time and conducted a technical landing in Doha, Qatar.
According to DMW, this initiative correlates with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the evacuation of Filipinos "by any means" in conditions of emergencies in Lebanon. DMW will provide each repatriate financial assistance in the amount of 75,000 pesos, as well as an additional 75,000 from OWWA and 20,000 from DSWD.
Currently, 69 Filipinos are under the care of the Office for Overseas Workers, temporarily residing in shelters in Beirut. We urge OFWs to avail themselves of the voluntary repatriation program.
