237 overseas Filipinos returned to the Philippines on June 26 and 27, 2020 from Germany.
The seafarers and other Filipinos have been awaiting repatriation after their cruise trips were suspended and resulting travel restrictions were implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic which began back in March of this year.
A team from the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, led by Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and composed of Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Consul Rogelio Villanueva of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, and staff members Renante Estrella and Vieto Pilapil, assisted and sent off the Filipino crew and other passengers at the airport.
Joining the flight to return to their posts in the Philippines were German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel and other members of the German Embassy in Manila.
Prior to their departure, the Filipino passengers were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program of OWWA.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and other collaborating agencies of the Philippine government around the World continues its mission to bring Filipinos home safely amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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For more information, visit https://www.berlinpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.de or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGermany.