Twenty-four Filipinos repatriated from Turkey following the big earthquake last month will arrive in the Philippines on Wednesday, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
“These 24 comprise the second batch of those we repatriated. Last time, last week, there were 25 who arrived. This [second] batch are mothers and kids. The DFA shouldered all the expenses for their return,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said, in an interview with GMA news.
De Vega is accompanying the group on their way home. Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Elena Algabre and Consul General Shirlene Mananquil met the group in Istanbul during their stopover.
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey on February 6, causing around 46,000 deaths in Turkey and 6,000 in Syria.
De Vega said some of the repatriated Pinoys arriving on Wednesday are from Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, and will be fetched by their relatives.
However, some are from Samar or Cebu and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will assist in bringing their home.
Last month, twenty-five Filipinos affected by the February 6earthquake in Turkey and Syria were repatriated.
De Vega said the repatriates were initially given $200 financial assistance and will be given further assistance through there integration program under the Department of Migrant Workers and OWWA.
The DFA official said there would be another batch of Filipino repatriates.”
There were 102 Filipinos who stayed at a shelter — a dormitory —rented by the DFA in Turkey, he said.
With some of them repatriated, 78 Filipinos remain in the shelter, De Vega said.
“Not everyone wants to go home. Those who want to go home will be repatriated,” the DFA official said.
De Vega added the Philippine government is also coordinating with Turkish authorities.
He in fact had talks with Turkish ministers to ensure that Filipinos who will remain in Turkey — those who are legal residents, permanent residents or Turkish citizens already — will be given financial and housing assistance as promised by the Turkish government.
