As many as 347 distressed Filipinos, including five children, whose lives were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic were repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Robert E.A. Borje landed in Saudi Arabia on June 19, after being sent by Presidente Duterte to reinforce bilateral ties, advance labor reform cooperation, and ensure the welfare of overseas Filipinos living and working there.
Borje thanked the country’s Riyadh Embassy, Consulate General in Jeddah, Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of Saudi Arabia, declaring the repatriation mission a success due to ease in coordination among entities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The repatriates flew home in a Philippine Airlines chartered flight organized by the Philippine government’s repatriation mission from Saudi Arabia. A second repatriation flight is expected next week.
The repatriates will receive cash assistance of Php 10,000 each as reintegration financial assistance from the Philippine government upon their arrival, President Duterte assured in a video message.
Meanwhile, reiterating the Philippine government’s commitment towards OFWs, Borje highlighted President Duterte’s continuing care and concern for overseas Filipinos in distress situations like the pandemic.
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By June 18, total 403,234 overseas Filipinos were repatriated by the government since the pandemic started in March last year. About 105,582 are seafarers, while 297,652 are land-based OFWs.
Saudi Arabia has the highest number of over 800,000 Filipinos in any Gulf state, according to a 2020 government estimate. (AW)
