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Iraq Hotel Fire Victim’s Remains to Arrive Tomorrow2010-07-19The Philippine Embassy in Baghdad reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the remains of a Filipina who died in a hotel fire in northern Iraq are expected to arrive in Manila on Monday, July 19.The remains of Maricar Cente earlier arrived in Amman, Jordan from Iraq and will depart for Abu Dhabi at 4 p.m. today (Qatar time). Her remains will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Monday afternon. Mr. Ali Mahti, a representative from Ms. Cente\'s employer, the Asiacell Mobile Company based in Salaymaniyah City in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, will accompany her remains. According to the Embassy\'s Assistance-to-Nationals officer and attaché Donnie Fetalino, the repatriation of Ms. Cente\'s remains was facilitated by the Embassy through representations with her employers. Ms. Cente is not registered with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Nonetheless, the DFA\'s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers\' Affairs (OUMWA) instructed the Embassy last Friday to fast track the repatriation of her remains through close coordination with her company which will shoulder the expense. The Embassy is likewise arranging to Ms. Cente\'s entitlement to other benefits. OUMWA and OWWA are also in touch with her husband and family here. Ms. Cente perished in the fire at the Hotel Soma in Sulaymaniyah City late Thursday night. The fire killed 29 people, nearly half of whom were foreigners. Two other Filipinos were injured in the fire. Morelo Ermitano is in an area hospital nursing a broken leg while Ritchie Salcedo was discharged from the hospital Friday. A Filipino volunteer in the region is providing assistance to the two Filipinos. OUMWA has instructed the Embassy to provide full assistance to the victims and to coordinate with their employers for their entitlement to benefits. SOURCE: DFA |
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