The second batch of Filipinos repatriated from Turkiye has arrived in the country, their travel to their hometowns is part of the government's effort to ensure their safety following the strong earthquake that hit the Turkiye-Syria border and killed more than 50,000 people.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Eduardo de Vega said those repatriated were eight families composed of 25 individuals, 14 of them are children.
They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Wednesday night, March 8.
“It was the Philippine government which shouldered all the expenses for their travel. They will be continuously assisted until they get to their respective hometowns,” said de Vega.
Part of the assistance, he said, is the $200 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
De Vega said the Philippine government is still working to send home 20 more individuals from Turkiye.
Narissa Trinidad, one of those repatriated, expressed gratitude to the Philippine government as she was the only one whose entire family was repatriated.
All of those repatriated were married to Turkiye nationals.