Evacuation, repatriation of Filipinos in Ukraine continuing – BusinessWorld Online

PHILIPPINE AUTHORITIES are still working on the evacuation and repatriation of several Filipinos in Ukraine, including 18 who have left on their own the capital Kyiv, among the areas under heavy attack by Russian forces.

Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz said in an online briefing Monday that they told Filipinos to explore the option of leaving by train from Kyiv to Lviv due to transportation challenges.

Of the 18, four went to Romania, six to Moldova, and eight to Hungary.

Philippine diplomatic corps in neighboring countries have earlier organized transportation and visa-free entry arrangements for other Filipinos living or working in Ukraine. There are about 380 Filipinos in Ukraine.

During the same forum, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Y. Arriola also said that eight seafarers who were on board the MV S Breeze have asked for rescue at the Ukraine-Moldova border.

In a separate online news briefing earlier on Monday, she said six more Filipinos arrived from Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova.

The group includes a medical student; two Filipinos married to Ukrainian nationals, one of them with a two-year old son; and two working for an international organization.

Of the six, only four requested to be brought to Romania where they will take their repatriation flight.

For Filipinos who wish to “wait it out” and stay in Ukraine, Ms. Arriola said the Philippine government will reach out to them and provide necessary assistance and care packages.

Filipinos repatriated from Ukraine will be given at least $200 or about P10,300 in financial assistance as well as psycho-social counseling, she said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan