(Infographics courtesy of DMW)
The Philippine government has extended assistance to 5,257 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia and repatriated 560 others as of Monday, November 2, amid continuing security tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it has delivered 6,873 assistance services through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to Filipinos affected by the security situation in the kingdom.
Of the total services provided, 5,164 involved financial assistance, 659 food assistance, 234 land transportation assistance, 12 medical assistance and 231 temporary shelter services.
The DMW reported that 14 repatriation flights have brought home 560 OFWs and 13 dependents.
Among the latest arrivals were 69 OFWs who returned to the Philippines on Friday, including five workers with medical conditions, followed by another 68 OFWs on Saturday.
OWWA personnel accompanied the returning workers during their land transfers to departure airports, including journeys from Riyadh to Hail and from Al Khobar to Dammam.
Upon arrival in the Philippines, the repatriated workers received immediate assistance from the DMW, OWWA and other government partner agencies.
The OWWA earlier announced that another 379 OFWs were expected to return to the country in batches until November 11.
The DMW said the continuing assistance and repatriation operations are being carried out under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the leadership of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
“Under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the leadership of DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, the DMW and OWWA continue to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Embassy, and government offices in Saudi Arabia to provide timely assistance and safeguard the welfare of affected Filipino worker,” the agency said.
The operations are being implemented through the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT), which aims to provide coordinated support to affected Filipino workers.
The DMW assured OFWs and their families that government assistance remains available as authorities continue monitoring developments in Saudi Arabia.
Filipinos requiring assistance may contact the DMW’s 24-hour hotline at 1348, (02) 1348 from outside Metro Manila, or +63 2 1348 when calling from overseas.
