Zamboanga city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Zamboanga Peninsula (DSWD-9) and partner agencies provided assistance to 844 returning Filipinos from Sabah upon their arrival at the local port on Saturday. DSWD-9 Director Riduan Hadjimuddin reported that the group included 518 adult males, 210 adult females, 59 male children, and 57 female children.
According to Philippines News Agency, the returning Filipinos arrived around 3 a.m. aboard a commercial vessel traveling from Malaysia via Sandakan City in Sabah. Upon arrival at the port, DSWD personnel immediately provided hot meals and essential personal items to the returnees, as stated by Hadjimuddin.
The returnees will temporarily reside at the DSWD Processing Center for Displaced Persons in Barangay Talon-Talon. During their stay, they will undergo profiling and assessment while the agency arranges their travel to their respective hometowns. Most of the returning Filipinos are from Tawi-Tawi province, with the remainder hailing from other parts of the region.
This batch marks the first group of returnees to come home this year. Hadjimuddin emphasized their commitment to continue offering immediate assistance and protective services to returning Filipinos, especially those in vulnerable situations.
