Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to the safety of Filipinos abroad, the Philippine government successfully repatriated 317 citizens from the Middle East earlier today. This arrival marks the third government-chartered flight organized under the direct instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to expedite the return of those affected by regional tensions.
The latest group of repatriates includes:
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153 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
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114 Dependents
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50 Stranded passengers
Since the intensified repatriation efforts began on March 5, 2026, a total of 2,099 OFWs and their families have been safely brought back to Philippine soil.
Upon arrival, the repatriates were met with a comprehensive support system designed to ease their transition back home. The coordinated effort involved multiple agencies providing immediate on-site assistance:
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DMW & OWWA: Distributed financial and welfare assistance to help families stabilize.
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Department of Health (DOH): Provided on-site medical check-ups and healthcare support.
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DSWD: Offered psychosocial services to address the emotional stress of displacement.
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DMW Reintegration: Dedicated teams are on standby to provide long-term livelihood and employment support for returning OFWs.
The success of this mission was made possible through the seamless collaboration of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the Philippine Consulate General and Migrant Workers Office in Dubai.
By utilizing chartered flights, the government has been able to bypass commercial travel delays, ensuring that Filipinos in high-tension areas are brought out of harm’s way as quickly as possible.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of our kababayans. This whole-of-government approach ensures that they don’t just return home, but return home to a system that is ready to support their next steps,” said DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac.
