[ad_1]
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) repatriated a total of 327,511 Filipinos abroad last year.
According to a statement on Monday, DFA reported that 231,537 or 70.7% of all returnees were terrestrial from around 90 countries. Meanwhile, 95,974 or 29.3% are seafarers from about 150 cruise ships, oil tankers and other bulk vessels.
According to the department breakdown, the largest number of returnees came from the Middle East with at least 228,893 or 69.89% of Filipinos abroad. It is followed by the number of returnees from Asia and the Pacific with 36,868 or 11.26%.
DFA also brought home 30,971 or 9.46% of overseas Filipinos from America, 28,909 or 8.83% from Europe and 1,870 or 0.57% from Africa.
The Department of Foreign Relations also noted that the highest monthly total of repatriated Filipinos abroad was recorded in December with 51,770 amid the cancellation of flights due to the new variant COVID-19.
“Sweeper flights were also organized to bring home distressed Filipinos overseas from Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in time for the Christmas season,” DFA said.
COVID-19-related repatriations began in February when DFA members flew to Wuhan, China, the initial epicenter of the virus, to bring home Filipinos who were stranded in the area during the pandemic.
“While these are some of the highlights of DFA’s repatriation efforts for this year, let’s not forget the tireless dedication of our DFA leaders who facilitated return and provided airport assistance to hundreds of medical returnees, victims of trafficking in persons, unaccompanied minors, children and the elderly who were repatriated by the DFA in 2020, ”said the Undersecretary of Foreign Relations for Migrant Workers Affairs, Sarah Lou Y. Arriola.
“As we begin a new year, DFA remains committed to its mandate of assisting nationals and renews its promise to bring home all Filipinos who wish to return home,” added Arriola.
JE
For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.
What you need to know about the coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare leaders and still accepts cash donations to be deposited into the Banco de Oro (BDO) checking account # 007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link .
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
