78 OFWs, and 2 children,
from Yemen returned home April 14, 2015 at the Ninoy Aquino International
Airport aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 655 at 9:15 A.M.
According to OWWA
Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado, the returning workers were visibly happy upon
arrival at the airport despite the long travel to safety which lasted for 10
hours.
“Natakot po
kami sa air strike na baka tumama sa mga bahay o buildings kaya nagdesisyon na
kami umuwi,”a repatriate who worked for 20 years as supervisor in Yemen
said. When asked if he has any plan to go back to Yemen when the situation
there stabilizes, or to another country where his skills are needed, the OFW
said, “hindi muna, pahinga muna ako. Nakakasawa rin naman magtagal
doon,” he quipped.
The returnees availed of
the Philippine government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program. Alert Level 4 was
raised in February 2015 when the strife in the said country escalated exposing
the lives of OFWs to danger.
Last Monday, 13 April,
20 repatriates from Yemen -- 19 OFWs and one child -- were extended airport
assistance by the OWWA Repatriation Team.
Upon arrival at the
airport, the displaced/distressed workers were accorded airport assistance that
include special lane in processing of immigration papers.
Some of the OFWs are now
temporarily housed at the OWWA Halfway Home before they return to their
respective provinces. Most of those who are in OWWA are from the Visayas and
Mindanao.
At the airport, the
repatriates were briefed on the DOLE-OWWA-POEA ASSIST WELL programs and
services, to cushion the impact of the Filipino migrant workers’ sudden job
displacement resulting from the political conflict in Yemen.
Following are
information on the number of Filipinos who have safely arrived in Manila:
April 8 - 4 OFWs; April 9 -
90 OFWs including 5 minors; April 11 – 98 OFWs including 8 minors; April 13 –
20 OFWs including 1 child; April 14 – 80 OFWs
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