Repatriation heroes honored

President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the awardees for a snap shot during the 118th Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Foundation Anniversary and Conferment of Presidential Awards at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini of the DFA Main Office in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Thursday (June 23, 2016). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and PRAISE Committee chairperson Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Linglingay Lacanlale. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Two senior diplomats and a foreign officer who facilitated the safe repatriation of Filipinos during the height of the Arab Spring on Thursday received the Order of Sikatuna award, the highest presidential distinction in foreign service.

President Aquino awarded the Grand Cross or the Order of Sikatuna to Foreign Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Jesus Yabes, retired Philippine Charges d’Affaires to Syria Nestor Padalhin and Assistant Secretary Theresa de Vega during the 118th anniversary celebration of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a briefer, the DFA cited Yabes’ role in pushing strategic measures in repatriating and evacuating thousands of overseas Filipinos who were trapped in strings of demonstrations and protests during the Arab Spring.

Of the 2 million Filipino workers in the Middle East, the government has repatriated more than 22,000 from the conflict affected countries of Libya, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and Iraq.

The DFA also credited to Yabes the initiatives in selecting law firms to provide legal assistance to distressed Filipinos workers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates under a fixed cost retainer arrangement.

Padalhin has been cited for his key role in negotiating the safe and immediate repatriation of Filipinos in the conflict-affected nation.

“His [Padalhin’s] laudable diplomacy enabled him to maintain supportive bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Syrian government amidst civil war.”

De Vega was cited for paving the way for the crafting of responsive policies in adherence to a principled and independent Philippine foreign policy.

Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo Santos received the Gawad Mabini award for the development of modernized e-passport program when he served as assistant secretary for DFA consular affairs.

Ambassador Santos was responsible for the promotion of public private partnership arrangements for the DFA satellite offices that has made passport application accessible to the public.  Estrella Torres