Philippines starts bringing home OFWs from Saudi Arabia as flights stay grounded
The Philippine government repatriated the first 34 overseas Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia and arranged flights for hundreds more amid ongoing flight cancellations.
A convoy of 34 overseas Filipino workers landed at NAIA Terminal 3 on Monday, having traveled from Al Qassim via Doha on Qatar Airways after flight disruptions in Riyadh. The Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration have confirmed reservations for 299 workers and are coordinating alternative routes for more than 100 others from Hail, Al Qassim and Dammam. Upon arrival, the repatriated workers received airport assistance, transport, temporary lodging and help arranging onward domestic flights.
Prior to departure, OWWA staff in Saudi Arabia provided meals, shelter and a pre-flight briefing. Additional groups of 65 workers are expected in the coming days, while all affected individuals receive food, accommodation, financial, medical and psychological support funded by the AKSYON Fund and the Emergency Repatriation Fund under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s UPLIFT program. Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet the workers and evaluate their needs as regional missile and drone attacks continue to disrupt travel.
Why it matters
It highlights the government's effort to protect thousands of Filipino workers facing travel disruptions in the Middle East.
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