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MORE than 230 Filipino Overseas Workers (OFW) from Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are back home for the New Year after a successful repatriation mission from the Duterte government.
The OFWs, which arrived via Philippine Airlines at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Manama on Friday, included three abandoned minors, detainees who had been incarcerated in Dubai, wards and minors from Philippine Embassy shelters in Abu . Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai.
Joining the returnees was a 14-man Philippine delegation led by Special Envoy and Presidential Assistant for Foreign Relations and Chief of Presidential Protocol, Robert Borje, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs for Migrant Workers Affairs, Sarah Arriola, and Under Secretary President of Communications for Global Media and Public Affairs Jusan Vincent Arcena.
In his speech upon his arrival at the NAIA, Borje conveyed President Rodrigo Duterte’s message of appreciation and concern for the OFW.
He said that all Filipinos, regardless of status, would not be left behind, adding that the administration will continue to provide assistance to OFWs affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
With the OFW ringing in the New Years in mid-flight on the way back to Manila, Borje reassured returnees about the administration’s continued commitment to serving and ensuring their well-being.
“The Duterte administration will continue to provide ‘Kalinga at Malasakit’ (Attention and Concern) assistance to OFWs affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021,” Borje said.
Due to the pandemic, the Philippine government has stepped up its efforts, such as assisting nationals and repatriation programs to ensure the well-being of foreign workers across borders.
Those awaiting repatriation were affected by closures and unavailable commercial flights, as well as those whose employment contracts have expired.
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