338 more Filipinos repatriated from Middle East return to PH

A total of 338 Filipinos—comprising overseas workers, their relatives, and individuals stranded in the United Arab Emirates—arrived safely in the country on Sunday, March 29, via the government’s sixth chartered repatriation flight.

The flight landed at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, where the returnees were received by officials from several government agencies.

Leading the reception were representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

Also present were representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Philippine Air Force.

Upon arrival, the returnees were provided with financial assistance, medical support, transportation fares to their home provinces, and temporary accommodation while staying in Metro Manila.

Of the 338 individuals repatriated, 203 were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), 125 were their family members, and 10 were stranded Filipinos.

Authorities said this latest batch brings the total number of Filipinos assisted in returning from the Middle East to 3,248.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, cited the coordinated efforts of government agencies in ensuring the safe and orderly repatriation of Filipinos affected by unrest in the Middle East.

He said the initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the welfare and safety of overseas Filipinos.

The government continues to facilitate repatriation efforts and provide reintegration support services for returning Filipinos.

According to Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso A. Ver, the fourth chartered flight, departed Sharjah International Airport at around 3 a.m. Saturday.

“It was the fourth flight organized by the Philippine government,” Ver said, noting that sustained coordination among agencies ensured the smooth implementation of the repatriation efforts.

Earlier, more than 300 Filipinos were flown out of Sharjah on March 26 after being processed in Dubai.

The first repatriation flight this month carried over 200 Filipinos from Fujairah International Airport, followed by another batch that also departed from Sharjah.

The Migrant Workers Office in Dubai also facilitated the return of 29 Filipinos via Oman on March 8.

The ongoing repatriation efforts come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, which began on Feb. 28 following airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes from Tehran on Israel and neighboring Gulf countries.—Jojo Dass/MCG, GMA Integrated News