By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday (Feb. 28) said the repatriated Filipinos from Ukraine will be given at least $200 as financial assistance as well as psycho-social counseling in case they were traumatized by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Currently, 13 Filipinos have crossed the Poland border.
“13 po iyong nakatawid [sa Poland border], 12 adults and 1 baby. They just took their RT-PCR test and kapag nag-negative sila, makakalipad na sila tonight or tomorrow at sasalubungin namin sila sa airport,” DFA Undersecretary Sara Lou Arriola said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
“Iyong iba naman nating kababayan, we’re happy to announce na may anim na nakapasok na sa Moldova, kasama po diyan ay isang medical student,” she added.
Arriola said there are some Filipinos who do not wish to be repatriated, choosing instead to wait it out.
The Philippine government will be reaching out to them and giving them necessary assistance and care packages.
Meanwhile, should some refugees choose to flee to the Philippines, Arriola said the Philippines has always had an open-door policy. – bny
