41 repatriates from Indonesia get City Hall assistance

NOT a single Dabawenyo is among the 41 Filipinos repatriated from Indonesia, an official said. But they were still given pocket money and their fares provided for by Davao City.

"Abi nato nga naay Davao City but most of them are outside Davao

City (We thought there were Dabawenyos, but most of them are from outside Davao Ciuty)," said Davao City Social Services and Development Office head Maria Luisa T. Bermudo, who met the repatriates at the Sasa Wharf Sunday morning.

Bermudo identified 16 from General Santos, Glan, and Saranggani Province, seven from Sigaboy, Governor Generoso, and 14 from Zamboanga, Tawitawi and from Zamboanga del Sur. She did not say where the rest are from.

"Yesterday (Sunday) they were assessed immediately after sa mga process of documentation, from the ID in the Department of Foreign Affairs, each of thier documents were process, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development immediately provided transportation, 14 from Zamboanga were brought to the airport and tickets were also bought for them to go home," she said.

Bermudo said that a financial assistance of P2,000 were given per person.

She added that the city government provided vehicle from the wharf to the terminal for those wiho will return to other areas.

"We told them to report to their different local government units, and local social welfare for other support services," she said.

Bermudo said that the repatriates are mostly fishermen. One of the 41 who hails from Zamboanga is pregnant.

She said that the interview process of documents ended at 11:30 am on Sunday as the welcome ceremony started around 8:20.

She said four officials from CSSDO came to assist the repatriates and vehicles of the city were also provided for them. This was after a letter request was received by the City Administrator's Office asking for assistance for the 41 who were to arrive via Davao Port. (KVC)