The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced on Friday the arrival of eight overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel.
The eight caregivers safely landed late Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 0737.
The OFWs’ homecoming was part of the government’s ongoing voluntary repatriation program amid the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Upon their arrival, the returnees were welcomed by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay, Assistant Secretary Maria Regina Angela Galias, DMW National Capital Region Director Falconi Millar, and personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the MIAA Medical Team.
Tutay personally spoke with the repatriated caregivers while they were served hot meals provided by OWWA.
“We are grateful that you have arrived safely. Our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac have instructed us to ensure your safety and well-being,” she said.
She also mentioned, “The financial assistance from DMW, OWWA, and DSWD will serve as a safety net while you are here in our country.”
Noemi Tañag from the Repatriation Assistance Division assured the repatriated workers that OWWA will assist those needing hotel accommodations and transportation to return home.
“OWWA is ready to provide immediate assistance—from temporary accommodation to travel fare—so that you can safely return and be reunited with your families,” Tañag stated.
Shirley Pita, one of the returnees who worked as a caregiver for 20 years and had not returned home for 15 years, expressed her gratitude for the assistance.
“Thank you very much, first and foremost to God, then to our government, the embassy, and the Migrant Workers staff who truly cared for us and did not abandon us. To my companions in Israel, it’s true—blessings pour down when we arrive in our country,” she said.
