34 OFWs from Saudi Arabia to arrive in PH on October 19

Thirty-four Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia are scheduled to return to the Philippines on Monday, October 19, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Sunday.

OWWA Administrator PY Caunan said the 34 OFWs flew from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, and are expected to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Monday at 8:15 a.m.

“Pagdating sa Maynila, sasalubungin sila ng OWWA Repatriation and Assistance Division (RAD) upang magbigay ng airport assistance, transportasyon, pansamantalang matutuluyan kung kinakailangan, at domestic airline tickets para sa mga uuwi pa sa kani-kanilang probinsya,” Caunan said.

(Upon their arrival in Manila, the OWWA Repatriation and Assistance Division (RAD) will meet them to provide airport assistance, transportation, temporary accommodation if needed, and domestic airline tickets for those who will continue their journey to their respective provinces.)

“Bilang bahagi ng Alagang OWWA, pinagkalooban ang mga manggagawa ng pansamantalang matutuluyan, pagkain, transportasyon, at mga tiket pauwi ng Pilipinas,” she added.

(As part of the Alagang OWWA program, the workers were provided with temporary accommodation, food, transportation, and tickets for their return to the Philippines.)

OWWA also announced that 249 OFWs from Saudi Arabia are scheduled to arrive in the Philippines from October 19 to 25.

Meanwhile, flight arrangements are being processed for the return of 100 OFWs from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines.

“Kabilang sa mga tinutulungang manggagawa ang mga OFW mula sa Bahay Kalinga, mga nasa pangangalaga ng Saudi recruitment agencies, at mga OFW na pansamantalang nanunuluyan sa mga hotel matapos maapektuhan ng mga kanselasyon at pagkaantala ng flights kaugnay ng insidente sa King Khalid International Airport sa Riyadh,” Caunan said.

(The workers receiving assistance include OFWs from Bahay Kalinga, those under the care of Saudi recruitment agencies, and those temporarily staying in hotels after their flights were canceled or delayed due to the incident at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.)

Their flights are being arranged instead in Al Qassim and Dammam.

Flights to Manila from Riyadh and vice versa were canceled by airlines due to the ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels based in Yemen.

PAL said its flights to and from Riyadh are suspended until November 29, 2026, while Cebu Pacific said its flights to and from Riyadh were canceled until October 31, 2026.

Houthis recently attacked the international airport in Riyadh (King Khalid International Airport) twice earlier this month, leading to the closure of the airport and cancellation of flights.

According to DMW, at least four Filipinos were wounded in the attack at King Khalid International Airport.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah have urged Filipinos to remain vigilant, and alert for their own safety and protection. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News