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MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed 343 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who returned home as evacuees from the Middle East on Monday, March 23, as the government repatriation efforts.
The group arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City aboard the fourth government-chartered flight, which departed from Saudi Arabia.
Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers said many of the repatriates came from Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, with others from Saudi Arabia.
"We have 343 from the fourth chartered flight from Saudi Arabia... 234 of whom are from Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain," Cacdac said in Filipino.
He said many OFWs had to travel by land for seven to eight hours on average to reach Riyadh due to airspace restrictions.
"They would not be able to arrive to Saudi Arabia if it were not for the land crossing efforts," Cacdac added.
Around 10 to 15 dependents, including children, were also among those repatriated.
More flights expected
Cacdac said the government is preparing additional evacuation flights, including fifth and sixth chartered flights from the United Arab Emirates, which hosts a large Filipino population.
He added that funds for repatriation and reintegration programs remain sufficient. "For now... it can be done," he said.
Returning OFWs will receive government support, including temporary accommodation, transportation assistance, financial aid and arrangements for their travel to home provinces. — with report from Geraldine Santos
