DFA repatriates over 11,600 OFs this week

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has facilitated the return of 11,688 overseas Filipinos (OFs) this week, bringing the total number of repatriated OFs to 90,497 since February 2020.

Of the total repatriated, 40,540 were sea-based and 49,957 were land-based.

This week's repatriations included OFWs from the Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the USA.

The DFA facilitated 31 flights this week, repatriating over 8,500 OFs, with three flights from Qatar.

The DFA successfully repatriated 312 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Qatar via Philippine Airlines flight PR 685, who underwent medical protocols and a required quarantine period.

Two flights, from Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, were chartered by the DFA using its Assistance-to-Nationals Fund.

The flight from Lebanon was the largest single mass repatriation flight for land-based workers in Philippine history.

Repatriated seafarers from various countries and OFs from China, Nepal, Tanzania, and Ethiopia were also welcomed.