Department of Foreign Affairs (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA – Some 115 Filipinos residing in Sri Lanka want to return to the Philippines amid the ongoing economic crisis in the South Asian nation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said the agency is looking to shoulder their plane tickets because the Sri Lankan government has yet to approve the landing rights for a possible sweeper flight.
The agency, de Vega said, targets to get them home within the next two weeks.
Based on the latest DFA data, there are over 700 Filipinos in Sri Lanka, most of whom are married to Sri Lankans.
De Vega, meanwhile, assured the remaining 600 that assistance would be extended despite difficulties in sending cash aid amid the regulations imposed by the Sri Lankan government.
"We are trying to find a way, our Embassy in Dhaka, under the Chargé d’Affaires Hope Reyes, is trying to think ano kaya magtayo sila (what if we create a) Western Union account or something. Basta gagawin lahat ang paraan para may maabot na assistance (Rest assured that they will do everything to provide assistance)," he said.
"Right now, ang priority ay iyong gustong umuwi; iyong gustong makauwi, bilhan sila ng plane ticket (the priority are those who want to go home, we will buy them plane tickets)," he added.
The DFA raised alert level 2 in Sri Lanka last Saturday due to the "security situation" in the state, prohibiting the deployment of new Filipino workers there. (PNA)
