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20 Filipinos sent home, thanks to senator

Some 20 Filipinos whose cases have been settled departed from Dubai on an Emirates flight at 4am on Monday after a long wait for air tickets.

They were among more than a hundred people waiting for their air tickets at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office’s Filipino Workers Resource Centre (FWRC) to go home following the resolution of their cases, majority of which were about absconding from their employers. Air tickets were supposed to be provided by either their employers or their agencies, but the process took a long time as many employers refused to provide the tickets.

Philippine Vice-Consul Geronimo Suliguin Jr. told Khaleej Times that they received free air tickets from Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada, who visited Dubai on his way to Rome to attend the canonisation of Filipino-declared saint St. Pedro Calungsod.

Earlier, Philippine Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa, Vice-Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza and Suliguin met Senator Estrada at Dubai International Airport during which he was briefed by Suliguin on various issues being faced by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.

“When the matter on Filipino nationals staying at POLO-FWRC came up, Senator Estrada quickly offered to relieve the present situation by providing free air tickets for those ready for repatriation,” Suliguin said.

Immediately after the briefing on October 18, the Consulate General and POLO Dubai made the arrangements to secure the necessary documents so the 20 Filipino nationals could be repatriated.

Suliguin said that a simple ceremony of handing over the air tickets was conducted on the POLO premises on October 24 during which many shed tears and expressed their joy and gratitude to Senator Estrada upon the knowledge that they were finally heading home.

lily@khaleejtimes.com