140 Pinoys to return from Syria this week; over 1,400 still waiting to be repatriated

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday that 140 overseas Filipino workers will be repatriated from Syria in the next four days. This is the largest batch of OFWs to come home from Syria since the unrest started in March 2011. The repatriations have already started as of this Sunday with the arrival of 19 OFWs at 3:25 p.m. onboard Etihad Airways flight EY 424. Two more Filipinos are scheduled to arrive at 10:00 p.m. this Sunday on board Emirates flight EK 334. The DFA expects 82 OFWs to arrive on July 30, 27 on July 31, and the last 10 on August 1. According to the DFA, the Syrian Government had agreed to waive the exit visa fees, penalties, and requirements for the 140 OFWs, thus saving the Philippine government over $100,000. Furthermore, in a meeting with DFA Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis, the Syrian Government gave assurances that it will assist in the repatriation of 1,404 more OFWs who have signified their intention to come home. This will bring the total number of repatriates to 1,993. Syria also agreed to facilitate the repatriation of the other Filipinos who will seek the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus in the coming days. The repatriates will be assisted by Philippine Embassy personnel during their repatriation and will be escorted by members of the Philippine government’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) from the Embassy to the Damascus International Airport. Given the situation in Syria, the Foreign Affairs Department renewed its call on the family members of Filipinos in Syria to provide the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) with up-to-date information regarding their loved ones’ whereabouts and contact details in Syria by calling (02) 834-3333 or (02) 834-4996 or by e-mailing oumwa@dfa.gov.ph. The DFA is also urging Filipinos in Syria to call the Embassy at (963-11)-6132626. — DVM, GMA News

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