Eighty-two (82) Filipino men, women and children arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia today via Etihad Airways 424 at 3:40 in the afternoon today, 17 May 2011. This batch is part of the Filipino nationals repatriated from the Hajj Terminal. The repatriation costs were shouldered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and OWWA. A group of 10 women and 3 minors aboard another Etihad flight will arrive tonight from Jeddah.
Earlier, a group of 15 women and children arrived at 11:50 last night, 16 May, also from Jeddah aboard Brunei Airways Flight 689.
The arrival of the repatriates was reported by OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon to Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz who has directed the accelerated repatriation of OFWs in distress. The OWWA repatriation team was at NAIA to provide assistance through immigration and customs formalities. Many of those who arrived were provided temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway House. Arrangements for transport back to their provinces are being made. They were also given stress debriefing and counseling while at OWWA. Reintegration options were likewise presented to them.
The OWWA expects more workers to arrive from Jeddah and other parts of the Middle East in the coming days. -30-ASMD, OWWA
