PH Consulate General in Istanbul Facilitates Repatriation of Distressed Filipinos and Two Children

Left photo: Vice Consul Maika Ros Fontelera (right) and ATN Officer Meri Jayne Cinco (left) assist Filipina medical case (center). Right photo: Vice Consul Maika Ros Fontelera (right) and ATN Officer Meri Jayne Cinco (left) assist a Filipino mother and her two (2) children (center) at the Istanbul International Airport (Istanbul PCG photo).

Istanbul, Türkiye – The Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul facilitated the repatriation of two (2) distressed Filipinos and two (2) children to the Philippines on 02 May 2023 via Turkish Airlines.

The repatriates are both female undocumented workers who had been living and working in Istanbul for several years. One of them is suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid problem; is on continuous medication; and is no longer able to work; while the other is a Filipina mother, a domestic violence case, who had been living in Türkiye for nine years. The Filipina mother was with her two children who are dual Filipino and Turkish citizens.

Through the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Fund of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate shouldered the cost of their repatriation including financial assistance for the medical case and their flight tickets. The Consulate also facilitated the issuance of their Travel documents prior to their repatriation.

The Consulate, likewise coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Lebanon (OWWA Lebanon) for the airport assistance of the repatriates by OWWA Repatriation Assistance Division (OWWA-RAD) upon their arrival in Manila.

The Consulate, in partnership with relevant agencies such as the Migrant Workers Office and OWWA in Lebanon, stands ready to assist distressed Filipino nationals requesting repatriation assistance, whenever possible. END