The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revealed a total of 216 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned home as part of the ongoing amnesty program the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is offering for those in the country illegally or have overstayed their visa.

The latest batch of 116 OFWs arrived in Manila from Dubai over the weekend. The first 100 arrived last August 16.

“The president gave very clear instructions for us in the Department of Foreign Affairs to help our kababayans overseas in any way that we can,” said DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola. “Our ongoing repatriation effort in the UAE is part of that.”

Earlier, DFA urged all OFWs in such situations to take advantage of the program.

“DFA is encouraging undocumented Filipinos in the UAE to take advantage of the amnesty program,” the agency posted on social media. “DFA also extends its gratitude to the UAE for giving as many as 30,000 Filipinos the opportunity to either correct their immigration status or return to the Philippines.”

While the program runs until October 31, any cases reported after July 31 will not be considered./WDJ