On 19 September 2024, the second batch of Overseas Filipinos who availed themselves of the UAE Government’s Amnesty Program successfully returned to the Philippines, facilitated by the Team UAE under the leadership of H.E. Alfonso A. Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. A total of 45 Filipinos were repatriated, many of whom had faced long-term challenges as undocumented workers. Among the beneficiaries of this repatriation effort were Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who had been undocumented for extended periods, parents with minor children, and individuals facing medical conditions. This critical initiative was made possible through the generous offer of the UAE Government, which waived the overstaying and absconding fines for these individuals.
In addition to benefitting from the amnesty program, the repatriates also received vital assistance with their consular documents from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. Their travel arrangements were facilitated by the Migrant Workers Offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The ticket assistance provided to the repatriates ensured that no financial barrier hindered their safe return home. Ambassador Ver tasked Consul General Marford M. Angeles of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai to lead the team at the airport and personally escort the repatriates to the boarding gate to ensure their safe and orderly departure from the UAE.
This successful repatriation highlights the close coordination among Philippine Government agencies in the UAE in providing comprehensive assistance to Overseas Filipinos wishing to return home. Through collaborative efforts, all necessary procedures were efficiently carried out, and the needs of the repatriates were addressed. This achievement reflects the Philippine government’s dedication and commitment in safeguarding the welfare of its nationals abroad by providing timely support to those availing themselves of the amnesty program.
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