MANILA, April 11 – Ten (10) overseas Filipinos (OFs) from Syria who availed of the government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP) arrived in Manila on April 07, 4:00 p.m. at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via flight EK-332.
The 10 OFs previously worked and resided in Damascus and Lattakia governorates before deciding to avail of the MRP, and sought shelter at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus’ Halfway Quarters.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Damascus shouldered the airfare of the 10 OFs. The OFs received medical check-up and pre-departure briefing prior to their travel to Manila.
The arrival in the Philippines of the 10 OFs brings the total number of Filipinos repatriated from Syria to 5,786 since the unrest started in 2011.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus continues to coordinate with the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for the issuance of exit visas for OFWs who are currently sheltered at the Embassy’s Halfway Quarters.
With the Alert Level 4 still in place and the MRP being implemented, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus spares no effort in convincing Filipinos to avail of this repatriation program. The Embassy invites the next-of-kin of OFWs still in Syria to get in touch with the Embassy through the following contact details:
Mobile: 00-963-11-613-2626, 00-963-94-915-5557, 00-963-93-495-7926
Facebook: The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Damascus
Email: pe.damascus@gmail.com
The next-of-kin of Filipinos still in Syria are also encouraged to provide information of their family member’s whereabouts or last known contact details in Syria so that immediate assistance can be extended to them. (DFA)