The Philippine government on Tuesday successfully repatriated the initial batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The 31 returnees, most of them caregivers and hotel workers, arrived safely at Ninoy Aquino International Airport – Terminal 3 on Qatar Airways flight QR 934 at 7:39 p.m.
These OFWs, who were brought back from Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Qatar, were accompanied by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) from Doha Hamad International Airport.
The group consisted of 26 workers from Israel, three from Jordan, one from Palestine, and one from Qatar.
Cacdac mentioned their flight was delayed due to temporary closure of Qatari airspace. Initially, he said, they were asked to deplane and stay safely inside the terminal at Doha Hamad International Airport.
The group was stranded in Qatar for more than 10 hours and departed Hamad airport 5:33 a.m. Tuesday.
The returnees were welcomed by officials and representatives from various government agencies, including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Departments of Health and Social Welfare upon arrival in Manila.
This successful repatriation was made possible through the cooperation of the Qatari Ministry of Interior, the Philippine Embassy in Doha, Ambassador Mardomel Celo Melicor, and the Migrant Workers Office in Doha.
The Philippine government provide the OFWs with immediate financial support, along with airport assistance, which includes temporary shelter and transportation back to their respective provinces.
Furthermore, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will also offer skills training to help facilitate redeployment options for the OFWs, while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will provide support for business and livelihood opportunities.
The DMW and OWWA have assured that the Marcos administration is always prepared and has sufficient funds to support the affected OFWs under the “one government approach.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is actively overseeing the situation, monitoring significant developments to ensure the safety and security of all Filipinos caught in the tensions in the Middle East.
Through its diplomatic missions in the region, the Philippines continues to track the well-being of its nationals, extending crucial aid particularly to those imperiled by ongoing conflicts.
Philippine ambassador to Israel, Aileen Mendiola, confirmed that 253 more OFWs currently in Israel have requested repatriation, citing security concerns as conflict in the region persists.
Each returning worker received P150,000 in cash assistance jointly provided by the DMW and the OWWA.
The government has also arranged temporary shelter for the OFWs at the airport and transportation assistance for those heading back to their home provinces. — With Charles Dantes
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.