By Juan Paolo Gutierrez
MANILA, Aug. 17 (PNA) — A total of 768 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from conflict-torn Libya arrived safely in two batches at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Saturday night and early Sunday morning, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The first group of 419 OFWs arrived at the NAIA Terminal 2 at 10 p.m. Saturday and were welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also the Presidential Adviser on OFWs Concerns.
On the other hand, the second batch composed of 349 OFWs, planed in at the NAIA at 3:45 a.m. Sunday, the DFA said.
The return of the OFWs from Libya was the result of combined efforts of the DFA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under the Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP) of the Philippine government.
Meanwhile, OWWA and DFA earlier said the repatriated OFWs would get assistance, including provision of fares and transportation to their respective hometowns. (PNA)