DFA welcomes Dec. 1 extension of UAE amnesty program

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed on Wednesday the one-month extension of the amnesty program for undocumented Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Started last August, the amnesty will be extended until December 1 this year.

“The extension until December 1 of the program that began in August will benefit more undocumented Filipinos who may wish to return home,” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA said the extension of the amnesty program will benefit more undocumented Filipinos who want to return home.

A total of 2,153 Filipinos have availed of the program and have been repatriated to the Philippines since the program started in August, the DFA said.

The agency encouraged other undocumented Filipinos in the UAE to avail of the amnesty program before the deadline.

“The Department is encouraging other undocumented Filipinos in the UAE to take advantage of the amnesty before the new deadline,” the DFA said.

The DFA has assured that the cost of exit fines and airline tickets to Manila and to the respective home provinces of repatriates will be shouldered by government.  /muf