Seoul, 08 July 2020 ? The Philippine Embassy in Seoul arranged two special passenger flights - Korean Air KE 623 and Asiana Airlines OZ 703 - from Incheon to Manila on 07 July 2020. A total of 537 Overseas Filipinos joined the special flights.

To date, the Embassy, with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other partner government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Manila International Airport Authorities (MIAA), in cooperation with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, has arranged a total of 7 special passenger flights and facilitated the return of 1,269 stranded Overseas Filipinos.

Philippine Embassy officials were at the Incheon International Airport to assist the departing Overseas Filipinos. They likewised briefed the passengers on the health protocols upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Moreover, as in the past, the Embassy also distributed vitamins and face masks, courtesy of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), to all departing passengers.

According to Charge d'affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus, the Embassy will continue to render vital assistance to Overseas Filipinos in South Korea who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including sending them home to their loved ones back in the Philippines. "For as long as the flights from Incheon to Manila remain intermittent, and for as long as there are Overseas Filipinos who are stranded here in Korea, the Embassy will continue to arrange special passenger flights. It is our commitment to our kababayans here," he said. END