OFWs seeking repatriation rise to over 1,000 — OWWA

More than 1,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have expressed their intention to return to the Philippines amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Wednesday.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said that as of 12 noon, 1,189 OFWs had signified their desire to be repatriated.

The breakdown is as follows:

• Bahrain — 278
• Abu Dhabi — 246
• Dubai — 231
• Qatar — 173
• Kuwait — 62
• Israel — 46
• Lebanon — 5

“The total repatriation requests received from OFWs is 1,189,” Caunan told reporters during a press briefing.

Tensions in the region escalated over the weekend following joint military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Despite the situation, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) clarified that there is no mass repatriation yet, although the government is preparing alternative modes of evacuation, including land travel.

"We will be guided by the alert levels determined by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs). We are undertaking measures to ensure they can be brought home safely," Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

"Safety remains the ultimate concern, and air transport out of the affected countries in the Gulf and Israel is not possible at the moment," he added.

Cacdac also urged Filipinos to follow the protocols set by their respective host governments.

'Life goes on'

As for the situation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Cacdac said "life goes on" for OFWs there as they continue to be employed despite tensions in the Middle East.

"If we're looking at Abu Dhabi, life goes on as usual, nagtatrabaho pa rin sila (they are still working). Sa Dubai, meron nang mga work from home (In Dubai, work from home is being implemented). Work continues, work goes on, it could be one reason. The work disruption has not been that (bad). So, they still have jobs, that could be one reason," he added.

"I think that also says something about the protocols that the host country is affording them. In the UAE, life pretty much, goes on. Of course, they hear the bombings, they hear the attacks, notwithstanding that, they know their government is there to protect them," Cacdac said.

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver said Wednesday saying the UAE was in relative calm as the country's defenses against drone attacks remained generally effective.

Repatriation

As of Wednesday, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai has an initial list of 200 Filipinos lining up for repatriation. There are approximately 500,000 OFWs in Dubai.

"Subject sa evaluation kung sino ang puwedeng i-repatriate. Dapat walang case at travel ban…dapat with passport. They can call sa hotline and will get the information. Kaya hindi naman automatic (na) sagot ng gobyerno," said Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista of the Philippine Consulate.

(Those who can be repatriated are subject to evaluation. They should not have a court case or travel ban. They should have passport. It's not automatic that the government will spend for the repatriation.)

The DMW has been issuing e-mails asking OFWs in the UAE if they opt to be repatriated.

Stranded Filipinos assisted

The DMW said it has assisted 1,824 OFWs in affected areas, providing food, hygiene kits, financial assistance, shelter and accommodation, welfare checks, evacuation support, and hospital visits.

The agency also extended assistance to 236 Filipinos stranded in international transit hubs, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said more than 1,000 Filipinos had requested repatriation amid the conflict. The DMW later clarified that the figure included non-OFWs and tourists.

Marcos also called on all parties involved in the Middle East tensions to exercise restraint and expressed hope for a swift ceasefire.

Filipinos in need of assistance may contact OWWA through the following emergency hotlines: Metro Manila — 1348; Regional — 02-1348; Viber — +63-915-079-5005 (Globe), +63-969-169-7068 (Smart), +63-966-473-9543 (Globe).— with a report from Jojo Dass/ MCG/ VDV, GMA Integrated News