DAVAO CITY -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has repatriated a total of 3,000 distressed Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates, following the arrival of its 7th special chartered flight from the UAE since the start of the pandemic. Bringing home 359 Overseas Filipinos—including 112 pregnant Filipinos and 12 persons with disabilities—the flight arrived at Davao International Airport this morning.

“We are working double time to make sure our kababayans in distress get the much-needed repatriation the soonest. Pregnant women, PWDs and those with special needs are given due consideration to expedite their return home,” stated Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola.

The Philippine government’s successful repatriation of Filipinos from the UAE was made successful by the Department, through its Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (OUMWA), with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, and the Regional Consular Office in Davao (DFA RCO Davao).

Other government agencies were in full support during the arrival of the repatriates, with the City Government of Davao leading the provision of ground assistance together with the DFA Regional Consular Office Davao, Department of Health, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Tourism.

“We send our appreciation to our partner agencies, especially to the City Government of Davao, for the invaluable assistance to the repatriates upon their arrival. This is a clear example of the whole-of-government approach that the administration promised in assisting our distressed OFs,” added Undersecretary Arriola.

In addition to their return flight ticket, free quarantine facility and swab test provided by the government, all repatriates received a P10,000 (USD200) reintegration assistance, in line with the instructions of President Duterte and as recommended by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (DFA)