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More than 153,000 OFW flew home amid COVID-19 – DFA
Manila, Philippines – The number of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who returned home amid the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has crossed the 153,000 mark, following the repatriation of an additional 8,329 Filipinos this week, it said the Department of Foreign Relations (DFA).
In a statement Sunday, the DFA said that a total of 153,124 Filipinos were brought home from countries where there are currently no direct flights to the Philippines, such as Kenya, Peru, Israel, Russia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Iraq and Egypt.
Of this number, 57,595 were offshore workers, while 95,529 were onshore workers, the department said.
The DFA also reported that it was able to facilitate 39 special repatriation flights from the Middle East, the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, even if commercial flights from various countries remain limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 1,000 more OFW are also expected to arrive home this week via chartered flights from Doha, Qatar; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“The DFA works tirelessly to facilitate more repatriation flights in September through close coordination with its Foreign Service Posts, as well as its partner government agencies in the country,” the department said.
He also advised Filipinos abroad who wish to apply for repatriation assistance from the government to contact the nearest embassy or consulate in their area.
DFA: 2 more Filipinos abroad contract COVID-19
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported two new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among Filipinos abroad on Sunday (August 30).
This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad to a total of 10,069, the DFA said.
Of this number, 6,124 have recovered and another 3,190 are in treatment.
However, registered deaths among Filipinos abroad now stand at 755.
According to the DFA, the majority of infected Filipinos are in the Middle East and Africa (6,968); followed by Europe (1,165); Asia and the Pacifici (1,141) and America (795).
In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency was able to repatriate more than 153,000 Filipinos abroad to the Philippines.
“Consistent with its ongoing repatriation efforts, DFA remains fully committed to monitoring the situation of Filipinos abroad who are affected by the pandemic and stands firm in promoting and protecting their well-being,” he said the DFA.
DFA reminds passport applicants to first secure an appointment online
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) reminds passport applicants to make an appointment before visiting DFA ASEANA or any Consular Office.
In the meantime, those entitled to courtesy lane services at DFA ASEANA can schedule their appointment by emailing [email protected] or visiting the department’s website at http://passport.gov.ph .
For courtesy lane services at other consular offices, applicants can email the consular office directly.
In view of the current health crisis, only those who have booked appointments through https://passport.gov.ph/ and those who received confirmation from [email protected] will be able to enter DFA ASEANA at the city of Parañaque. on the date of your appointment.
A copy of the appointment confirmation will be required to enter the facility.
Following the protocols issued by the Department of Health (DOH) for all workplaces, only a limited number of applicants can physically lodge in consular offices.
The DFA also implements health standards and protocols, including basic precautionary measures such as physical distancing, the use of masks and face shields, and temperature controls to ensure the safety of all applicants and care and service personnel.
Passport applicants are advised to prepare contingencies for their travel plans in light of possible logistical constraints due to government-imposed community quarantine.
DFA advises the public to take note of the following links to guide them when applying for a passport:
To schedule an appointment, click https://passport.gov.ph.
To consult the Directory of Consular Offices, click on https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/directory#COS.
For questions or emergencies, please email [email protected] / [email protected] or call (+63) 2-8234-3488 for passport appointment inquiries.
For passport, authentication, and other consular inquiries, the public can call the Client Concerns Unit at (+63) 977-353-3942 (Globe) or (+63) 961-567-9324 (Smart).
New PHL protest against China will not affect diplomatic relations: Palace
Manila, Philippines – The new diplomatic protest filed by the Philippines against China over the “illegal confiscation” by the coast guard of the fish harvesting devices installed by Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc will not affect the friendship between the two countries, Malacañang said on Friday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that protesting acts that are seen as violating the country’s sovereign rights is part of the job of Filipino diplomats.
“The protests are really made by our diplomats if we think they are going to violate our sovereignty or what we call sovereign rights,” he said.
“But that will not affect the entirety of our close relationship with our country and China,” he added.
The Department of Foreign Relations (DFA) previously said that it had lodged a diplomatic protest against China over the incident that took place in May.
Masinloc Bass or Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal is a vital spawning ground for fish found more than 100 nautical miles off the coast of Masinloc, Zambales.
It is among the areas of the South China Sea claimed by China, including the waters within the exclusive economic zones of Malaysia, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hage ruled that, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Masinloc Basin is a common fishing ground and that China’s claims on the strategic water body are invalid. . – RRD (with details from correspondent Rosalie Coz)
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