PH GOV’T BRINGS HOME FIRST BATCH OF OFWS AFFECTED BY ESCALATING TENSIONS IN MIDDLE EAST

IN compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the safety and security of the overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) during crisis, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), safely brought home the first batch of OFW-repatriates affected by the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

“The safe and successful repatriation of our OFWs from affected areas from the Middle East was through our one-country coordinated efforts as directed by our President. We extend our deep appreciation to the DFA headed by Secretary Enrique Manalo and Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Undersecretary Eduard de Vega, H.E. Aileen Mendiola-Rau of Israel, H.E. Wilfredo Santos of Jordan, H.E. Mardonel Melicor of Qatar, H.E. Roberto Manalo of Iran and Chargé d’ Affaires Marlowe Miranda of Lebanon, the host governments, including our Migrant Workers Offices Attachés and OWWA Welfare Officers for all the assistance on the ground,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said upon arrival Tuesday night (June 24, 2025) at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City via QR 934.

The first batch of OFW-repatriates consisting of 26 OFWs from Israel, three from Jordan, one from Palestine, and one from Qatar, was accompanied by Secretary Cacdac and Assistant Secretary Veneciao Legaspi from Amman, Jordan.

The group’s flight to Manila was initially grounded due to the closure of Qatari airspace amid external attacks, but departed early morning of June 24 the moment the flights resumed.

“We experienced flight delays due to airspace restrictions but what’s really important is that we are here at home, safe and sound,” Cacdac said.

All the repatriates were provided with immediate P150,000 financial support from the DMW and OWWA, along with airport assistance, including temporary shelter or onward transportation to their respective provinces.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, DSWD Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez, TESDA Deputy Director General Felizardo Colambo, and DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer, also welcomed the repatriates to provide psychosocial counseling and medical assistance.

“The DOH will provide medical services and assistance to one cancer patient-repatriate, and one pregnant OFW, including mental wellness check-up to ensure their overall well-being,” Secretary Herbosa said.

The DMW, through its National Reintegration Center for OFWs, will also assist the repatriates in establishing their livelihood ventures or finding alternative employment opportunities, in addition to the free skills training vouchers from TESDA and business trainings from DTI.

“We stand ready to assist those who are willing to be repatriated. We are encouraging OFWs to avail of the voluntary repatriation program. And sa pag-uwi nila, a whole-of-government approach ang nakahanda, with President Marcos Jr. as our moving force, and unprecedented whole-of-government assistance and other forms of support under the Bagong Pilipinas”, Cacdac added.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of happiness felt by family members as they were reunited with their loved ones.

“Pinakamahalaga at pinakaimportante ang saya at pagmamahal na nadarama ng bawat pamilya sa pagdating ng ating mga OFWs sa gabing ito,”  Caunan said.

The DMW accounts 311 requests for repatriation from OFWs in Israel, of which 50 are now set to return home soon.