P1.8M OFWs seek repatriation; DMW on standby

NEARLY 1.8 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East have asked to be repatriated as hostilities continue to escalate in the region, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

- BY GERARD NAVAL

In a social media post on Thursday, the OWWA reported that 1,739 OFWs want to be repatriated, with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reiterating that it is ready to bring the OFWs home as soon as it gets the green light.

“(This is the) total number of repatriation requests received from OFWs in the Middle East and other countries affected by the ongoing tension in the region,” OWWA said.

“The Philippine government is organized all across the Gulf States and Israel. We have embassies, we have the DMW and OWWA to cover the labor offices, and we are in contact with the Filipino communities. These are structured networks that we have. We can carry out repatriation,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

Earlier Thursday, 23 OFWs from the Middle East were safely repatriated, the first batch of returnees since the United States and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend.

The 23 OFWs, along with two children, were among 299 Filipinos who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City from Dubai via Emirates Airlines Flight 336.

“Welcome home. We are thankful that you are all safe,” Cacdac said in welcoming the OFW repatriates.

“Some of them are returning to the Philippines for their safety and security as advised by their employers. Some are OFWs who finished their contracts, and some are returning home for good and personal reasons," the DMW said.

The agency said the repatriated OFWs were provided with immediate financial assistance from the DMW, accommodation and transport services from the OWWA, medical assistance from the Department of Health, and psychosocial support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

"All the OFW returnees were assured of all the necessary assistance and support from the government," the DMW said.