The Philippine government has successfully repatriated another group of Filipino workers affected by the conflict between Iran and Israel.
The six returnees arrived safely at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 early Saturday morning on Emirates flight EK 334.
The group was warmly welcomed by Patricia Yvonne Caunan, the Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); Eduardo De Vega, the Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Venecio Legaspi, the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers; along with a medical team and a social welfare officer from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The group includes five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were employed as shrimp hatchery technicians in Iran and one domestic worker based in Dubai, who accompanied her employer to Iran as a tourist.
This repatriation was made possible through the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Tehran, led by Ambassador Roberto Manalo, in close coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA.
Upon arrival, the workers received financial assistance from the DMW, OWWA, and DSWD. They were also provided with food and medical services by the MIA Medical Team.
OWWA will arrange temporary hotel accommodations and domestic flights back to their home provinces for the returnees.
All of them were served breakfast and were joined by government officials who welcomed them at the airport.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, the repatriated workers will continue to receive reintegration assistance from the government.
Additionally, two more Filipino workers are expected to arrive later on Saturday night from Iran. This group represents the first batch of Filipinos repatriated from Iran following the conflict that began on June 13 between Israel and Iran.
Earlier this week, a group of 31 OFWs, most of them caregivers and hotel workers, also returned from Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Qatar.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “More OFWs arrive in Manila from Middle East.”
