Phnom Penh — The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia repatriated 167 stranded and distressed Filipinos to Manila in the first DFA-funded chartered flight from Southeast Asia. Eighty-two (82) repatriates made their way to Phnom Penh from twelve (12) different provinces of Cambodia, traveling 4-8 hours to reach the capital. The rest worked and lived in Phnom Penh.
Arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in mid-afternoon of 18 April 2020, the recovery flight brought home Filipinos who were adversely affected by the economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of them lost their jobs and do not have the means and support system to continue living in Cambodia. Most of the repatriates worked as teachers, casino workers, musicians, and garment factory workers.
According to Ms. Myca Magnolia M. Fischer, Charge d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy, the whole Embassy, including the service attachés, were involved in this undertaking. She said, “It was not as easy as merely booking a flight for the repatriates. Days prior to the repatriation, the Embassy made representations to Cambodian immigration authorities to allow some flexibility in the imposition of overstaying penalties of some repatriates, wrote to some employers to allow their Filipino employees to stay in the staff house until the Embassy is able to make alternative arrangements, provided board and lodging for those with no place to stay, arranged land travel and accommodation of those coming from various provinces.”
Ms. Fischer added that select members of the Filipino community were also tapped to help in the repatriation efforts. “We set up the ‘Embassy Barangay Liaison’ system in Phnom Penh and in each province of Cambodia to help the Embassy in coordinating and communicating with the repatriates, especially those who do not monitor or do not have access to the Facebook page of the Embassy. The EBLs became a valuable link of the Embassy to the repatriates, which contributed to the smooth repatriation process.”
Upon arrival in Manila, many of the repatriates took to social media to share their experience and express their appreciation to the Philippine Government, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs, for arranging their return home. Ms. May Martin, whose employment in a hotel was affected by the downturn in the tourism industry, said, “I have been living in Cambodia for 10 years and have been to other countries to work as well. I have to say I cannot compare the Philippine embassy in Cambodia. With this COVID-19 situation, the staff are really hands on, from the 1st day until we reached the Philippines. Our Embassy Liaison, Mrs.Teresa, from Siem Reap, who has been extending her help to most of us, made sure that everything is in order… We salute all the members and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia. When we reached the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the DFA and the OWWA welcomed us… The quarantine for 14 days is a MANDATORY process to all who will come back from other countries. This is for the sake of our family and neighbors before we go back home, which is totally understandable… I think this is the time not to complain but to appreciate our government that they're doing their best.”
Ms. Cheervy Caneja, along with her husband, used to work as musicians in Sihanoukville. As her family closed the Cambodian chapter in their lives and transition to a new life back in the Philippines, she posted a Facebook Life Event on her 2nd day of quarantine. “We praise God for the lives of those people who helped us… we’d like to thank the Philippine Embassy for helping us with our request for repatriation and for always accommodating us every time we contact you for some important matters, you are all ready to help wholeheartedly. May God’s protection and guidance be always upon you all while you are doing your best serving our country. Thank you so much to Cambodia for the past 4 years and 6 months that we stayed with you. We praise God for using you to make us a better person.”
The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, like the other Philippine foreign service posts, is working tirelessly to assist the Filipino diaspora as they face the challenges brought about by this pandemic. END
