MANILA, Philippines – Another batch of Filipinos, mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), arrived from Syria via Emirates Air flight EK322 on Thursday afternoon.

They availed of the mandatory repatriation program of the government when it raised the alert level in Syria to 4.

In a press release, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Carmelita Dimzon said the release from the Filipinos' employers was made possible by a negotiating team composed of officials from the Department of Foreign of Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment and OWWA.

Some of the returnees will at stay at a temporary shelter provided by the Department of Social and Welfare Department. They will also be assisted with their domestic transportation needs.

An OWWA counseling team, meanwhile, will provide stress debriefing for the OFWs.

OWWA has repatriated and assisted a total of 782 OFWs from Syria.

The "Libreng Tawag" program launched by OWWA continues to assist family members of OFWs in Syria to help them communicate with their loved ones.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said more than 100 Filipinos are still in Syria. -- Reports from Jasmin Romero and Alex Santos, ABS-CBN News