The first batch of Filipino amnesty applicants repatriated to the Philippines. FACEBOOK/PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN UAE

The first batch of overstaying Filipinos in UAE were repatriated on Thursday, as announced by the Philippine missions in their joint statement. A total of 64 Filipinos, including 35 from Abu Dhabi and 29 from Dubai, received repatriation assistance to return to the Philippines after regularising their residency status under UAE’s ongoing amnesty programme. His Excellency Alfonso A. Ver, the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, led the One-Country-Team UAE, which includes the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, and the Migrant Workers Offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in organizing the repatriation of Filipino amnesty seekers to the Philippines. In his conversation with the repatriates from Abu Dhabi before their departure to Dubai, Ambassador Ver expressed his deep gratitude to the UAE government for its generosity in waiving fines and penalties. He also appreciated their support in allowing Filipinos and other expatriates to leave with dignity and giving them the option to return to the UAE in the future with the appropriate visa. The Filipino expatriates also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity provided by the UAE government to return home without having to pay any fines or penalties. One specific repatriate, who is suffering from kidney failure, expressed gratitude to the UAE government for accommodating their medical needs, despite lacking legal documents. They were even able to undergo their final dialysis a day before the scheduled repatriation. Furthermore, Consul General Marford Angeles of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai said that most of these Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) had previously absconded from their employers and were unable to secure permanent employment in the UAE. Notably, one of the repatriates from Dubai had overstayed in the UAE for almost six years. Another OFW, who departed before this batch had overstayed in the UAE for 14 years. The 64 Filipino repatriates were assisted at the Dubai Airport by Consul General Marford Angeles, Vice Consul Aleah Gica of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, Vice Consul Regatta Marie Antonio-Escutin and Ms. Jo Iris Costales of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Labor Attaché Teresa Olgado, Assistant Labor Attaché Jesus Vicente Magsaysay II, and Welfare Officer Romeo Asuit of the Migrant Workers Office in Abu Dhabi, and Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista of the Migrant Workers Office in Dubai. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Migrant Workers Offices (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), covered the airfare for the repatriates. Upon arrival in Manila, the repatriates will also receive financial assistance from DMW and OWWA. The amnesty programme in UAE will run until October 31. In earlier statements, the Philippine missions urge Filipinos with visa issues to take advantage of the amnesty and advise them to visit the Embassy or Consulate to inquire about how they can fully benefit from the program. They assured that those who come forward will be provided assistance subject to existing laws and regulations. They also cautioned against dealing with unauthorized individuals or entities during the amnesty application process and reminded Filipinos to conduct all transactions through the Philippine Embassy or Consulate or the appropriate UAE authorities to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of the information and services provided. For Filipinos who wish to regularise their residency status and apply for the amnesty, learn the full details here. They can also contact the following: Philippine Embassy +971508137836 or +971504438003 Philippine Consulate +971 4 2207100 +971 56 4177558 (WhatsApp) Assistance to Nationals +971 56 5015756 FLE/Expat Media
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