Embassies set up ‘sweeper flights’ for Bohol stranded guests

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, April 10 (PIA) — Foreigners who are still in Bohol and intend to go home to their respective countries can check with their embassies to facilitate their accommodation in the sweeper flights to bring home stranded guests. 

According to Department of Tourism Bohol Desk Officer Jaypee Orcullo, on April 9 and 10, the Brazilian Embassy organized a special sweeper flight from Cebu to Manila.

Orcullo said DOT and the Bohol Tourism Office (BTO) arrange the trips from Bohol to Cebu, which can either be by sea or air.

On April 11, as initiated by the Swedish Embassy, a sweeper flight would leave Panglao to Cebu and then to Manila.

For this flight, DOT Bohol said citizens from the European Union and the Nordic States can board the aircraft.

Guests are advised to coordinate with their respective embassies as the facilitation should be done at the embassy level, DOT said.

On April 14, the Canadian Embassy is organizing another flight from Cebu to Manila, and Canadians stranded in Bohol can coordinate with the BTO or the DOT. 

On April 15, the Japanese Embassy is also organizing another sweeper flight, and stranded nationals may immediately contact the BTO through Joanne Linal at 09062401168 or the DOT through Jaypee at 09075489061.

Anytime soon, the Spanish Embassy will also send a sweeper flight, but there is no information yet as to the take-off details. 

Other foreign nationals who need to avail of repatriation flights need to contact their respective embassies, the DOT said.

Bohol has hosted short and long-staying expatriates, and has organized repatriation trips for them to facilitate their safe return to their respective countries. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1038582