Phnom Penh — The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh facilitated the return to Manila of two batches of distressed/stranded Filipinos in Cambodia this month. Onboard special commercial flights of Cambodia Airways and Cambodia Angkor Air, a total of 168 overseas Filipinos arrived in Manila on 17 September and 28 September, respectively. The plane tickets of all but 39 repatriates were charged against the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs. This brings to 761 the number of Filipinos assisted by the Embassy in returning to the Philippines since the start of the pandemic. 

The Embassy coordinated with relevant government authorities in Cambodia to obtain the necessary permits for these special flights and with the two airlines to ensure that the plane tickets were offered at very affordable rates. As a whole-of-government undertaking, the repatriation flights were coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs with the Department of Health, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Coast Guard, Civil Aviation Board, and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, among other agencies.

“Being a jobless OFW, I appreciate the help of PE Cambodia to bring me/us back home. They never failed to give full assistance, ensuring that we arrive safely. MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA WALANG SAWANG PAG TULONG,” said Mr. Rainier Jaring, who hails from Zambales.

Ms. Ryener May Yambao , mother of two toddlers, sent a text message to the Embassy upon her arrival in Manila, “Maraming salamat po sa tulong nyo po at sa lahat po ng nasa Embassy. Maraming maraming salamat po. Hindi ninyo po ako pinabayaan. Ang hirap po magtravel nang may dalawang toddlers.. Pero pinagaang ninyo po lahat. Taos pusong pasasalamat po sa lahat ng pagtulong at pag alalay. God bless po sa inyong lahat jan, sana po marami pa po kayong matulungan.” (Thank you very much for the help extended to me by everyone in the Embassy. I really appreciate that you did not fail to care for me. It was very difficult to travel with two toddlers. But you helped ease my burden. My heartfelt thanks for the assistance and the guidance. May God bless everyone in the Embassy. May you be able to help more people.)

This month’s flights were the 6^th and 7^th flights organized/facilitated by the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia. The Embassy, along with the other Philippine foreign service posts, stands ready to assist overseas Filipinos affected by COVID-19. END