The first batch of repatriation involving the remains of 44 Filipinos who died in Saudi Arabia will finally be brought back home this Friday through chartered planes of the Philippine Airlines.
Out of the 44 deaths, 19 are COVID-19- related while the 25 were caused by other diseases. The first batch is part of the 274 bodies currently in the said foreign country.
“Gusto man naming isama sabay-sabay sila, hindi po natin nakayanan’ yung mga requirement. Pati ‘yung limitation ng capacity ng transport facility (As much as we want to bring them all home at the same time, the requirements were not met. There is also the limitation of transport facility capacity),” DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello III explained.
“Titiyakin natin na maiuwi lahat sila, hindi man sabay-sabay, pero siguro halos sabay-sabay yan (We assure that all of them will be repatriated, if not at once, at least almost the same time),” Bello added.
The remains of those who died of COVID-19 will directly be sent to crematoriums in accordance with established health protocols. Relatives of those who died of other causes will have to decide if they want to go for cremation or bring the body home for burial.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assured that the bereaved families will receive assistance including aid for cremation.
“Bereavement financial assistance, at a minimum, for the inactive OWWA members. And then there’s additional death and burial benefit for the active OWWA members in addition to other benefits like livelihood, but there will be a minimum basic financial assistance for all,” OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac said.
The second batch of remains are expected to arrive this Sunday. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
