Last batch of repatriated OFWs from Kuwait arrives in Manila

MANILA -- The last batch of repatriates under the Kuwaiti government's amnesty program, consisting of 216 individuals, have arrived in Manila on Monday (April 23), bringing the total number of Filipinos repatriated to 5,066 since February.

While the amnesty lapsed Sunday (April 22), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said that all nationals who may be affected by the mass crackdown of Kuwaiti government against illegal workers will be deported, with fee tickets to be shouldered by the DFA.

"We will continue to process people for repatriation but it won't be like the amnesty anymore. It would be regular (deportation)," Cayetano said.

The last batch, including six infants, departed Kuwait and followed the first flight on Sunday, which carried more than 140 overseas Filipino workers.

In an earlier interview, DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said the government has already spent at least PHP66.1 million for plane tickets, while PHP22.5 million was allotted for cash assistance, still less of the operational costs.

The 216 overseas Filipino workers on Sunday all received a PHP5,000 cash assistance from the DFA.

Accompanying the OFWs on their way home were DFA-Office of Public Diplomacy Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato, Consul General Pendosina Lomondot, ACTS-OFW Representative John Bertiz and Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.