Two undocumented Filipino children from Bahrain, who have been awaiting repatriation, have finally returned home to Manila in time for New Year’s Day on Tuesday.
Accompanied by officials from the Office of the President and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the four-year-old girl and a one-and-a-half-year-old boy arrived in Manila from Manama, Bahrain, onboard a commercial flight, according to a statement released by Presidential Communications Operations Office.
This, after Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ordered Bahraini officials to expedite the processing of the repatriation of the children before the new year.
The instruction was issued by the King to relevant officials during a courtesy call on Christmas Day by Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert EA Borje.
“His Majesty the King’s response was one of immediate concern and action. Clearly, His Majesty the King’s instructions to Bahraini officials showed the wisdom and benevolence of His Majesty the King. It was also timely message of hope for the children and their families who are given the opportunity to begin life anew in the Philippines,” Borje was quoted as saying upon his return to Manila with the two minors.
The two children are among the 50 undocumented Filipino children born in Bahrain identified by the Philippine Embassy in Manama under its Oplan Kabataan program for repatriation.
The children, who were accompanied by three adults, went home with Borje and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola.
Borje embarked on a three-nation mission covering the Middle East and North Africa.
Borje, who was appointed special envoy, also delivered a sealed letter to the King from President Duterte in which he conveyed appreciation for the King’s personal care and concern for Filipinos in Bahrain and for his benevolence toward Filipinos in distress.
During the Royal Audience, Borje also conveyed President Duterte’s keen interest to work closely with the Bahraini government to address issues involving distressed Filipinos, particularly the most vulnerable such as undocumented Filipino children.
Apart from ordering expedited assistance for repatriating undocumented Filipino children, the King also vowed to address the issue of processing applications for flexi-visa, which would regularize the stay of some 100 Filipino workers in the Kingdom.
“These are important actions that show how friendship between the leaders of the Philippines and Bahrain and partnership between our two governments can be harnessed to advance shared goals,” Borje said.
“With best practices, extensive experience and deep expertise as sending and receiving states for migrant workers, continued and intensified cooperation between the Philippines and Bahrain can provide valuable lessons other governments can learn from,” Borje added.
Meanwhile, the King also welcomed President Duterte’s invitation to visit the Philippines.
Borje said it was the best time to visit the Philippines as the country experiences “tremendous economic growth.” The country’s economy grew by 6.2 percent in the third quarter after two quarters of deceleration, bringing the year-to-date GDP growth at 5.8 percent.
Recalling President Duterte’s visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2017, the King said the trip was very successful, adding important collaborations should continue.
He also recognized the contributions of Filipinos to Bahrain’s development.
There are around 58,000 Filipinos in Bahrain with around 18,000 working as household workers.
Filipino professionals are comprised of engineers, teachers, nurses, and architects. Others are engaged in Bahrain’s service sector.