The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported Tuesday that all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Manila are “safe and sound” after encountering flight delays when Qatar temporarily closed its airspace.
Several flights across the Middle East were disrupted early Tuesday morning after Iran launched a missile targeting a U.S. air base, which the Qatari government successfully thwarted.
In a statement, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they were “relieved to report” that all 31 OFW repatriates—from Israel (26), Jordan (3), Palestine (1) and Qatar (1)—were safe and awaiting details of their respective flights.
Cacdac said DMW officials and personnel were on the ground providing the necessary assistance, in coordination with Qatar authorities, as instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
“With the Qatari Ministry of Interior on top of the situation, the Qatari airspace is now open, and we are now awaiting confirmation of the new schedule of our flight,” Cacdac said.
“With this, we thank the Qatari Ministry of Interior for their swift response and for ensuring the safety and security of all affected individuals,” he added.
Cacdac echoed public appeals from the Qatari government to refrain from sharing panic-inducing unverified information. He advised OFWs and everyone affected by the situatin to stay calm but vigilant.
“I urge all our OFWs to rely only on official government advisories from the Department of Migrant Workers, the Philippine Embassy, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and trusted authorities,” he said.
Cacdac also shared he met two OFWs at the Doha Hamad International Airport, who missed their connecting flight to Pagadian, and assured them that DMW-OWWA will shoulder the rebooking of their flights.
“We continue to monitor and assist OFWs abroad who are stranded and affected by the closure of the Doha airspace,” he noted.
“For the families of the repatriated OFWs, please be assured that we are actively working to finalize new flight arrangements. Updates will be provided directly to all official DMW and OWWA communication channels,” Cacdac said.
