MANILA – The Philippine government is preparing to repatriate around 200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded due to flight cancellations following missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia, while providing food, shelter, financial aid and medical assistance to other affected workers.
In a news release Friday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said return tickets for Filipinos who requested to come home have been secured in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government would provide free repatriation flights to workers whose trips were disrupted by the cancellations of Riyadh-Manila flights.
“We will assist those needing to go home through the repatriation services for OFWs affected by the cancellations of Riyadh to Manila flights, under the AKSYON and Emergency Repatriation Funds,” he said.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has remained closed since the attacks last Oct. 10, leaving more Filipinos unable to return home.
“Every day there is a growing number of OFWs who want to come home but can’t because of the cancellations; hence, we offer stranded passengers free repatriation flights to Manila,” he added.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said 149 OFWs had been processed and were ready for repatriation, while another 50 workers from Riyadh, including those staying in shelters and other stranded Filipinos, were scheduled to return home next week, in coordination with the Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, and in partnership with Ambassador Raymond Balatbat of the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, about 258 OFWs affected by the attacks, including stranded and injured workers, have received food, temporary shelter, transportation, financial assistance and on-site medical care.
The DMW and OWWA, through its Migrant Workers Office, assured continued monitoring and assistance to OFWs affected by the recent missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia.
Caunan acknowledged the anxiety of workers whose travel plans had been disrupted and families waiting for their return.
“Behind every OFW waiting to come home is a family waiting for their safe return. Naiintindihan po namin ang inyong pangamba, lalo na sa mga naantala ang biyahe at hindi pa makauwi sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Patuloy po kaming nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga tanggapan sa Saudi Arabia upang matiyak na may matutuluyan, makakain, at makukuhang tulong ang ating mga kababayan habang inaayos ang kanilang pag-uwi (We understand your concerns, especially for those whose trips have been delayed and who cannot yet return to their loved ones. We are continuously coordinating with our offices in Saudi Arabia to ensure that our fellow citizens have a place to stay, food to eat, and assistance while their return home is being arranged),” she said.
“Hindi po kayo nag-iisa. Kasama ninyo ang DMW at OWWA, mula sa inyong paghihintay sa Saudi Arabia hanggang sa inyong ligtas na pagdating sa Pilipinas (You are not alone. You are not alone. The DMW and OWWA are with you, from your wait in Saudi Arabia to your safe arrival in the Philippines),” she added.
The DMW said the repatriation is part of the Saving Lives pillar of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Assistance Program.
OFWs and their families needing assistance may call the DMW-OWWA hotline at 1348, or email owwacares@owwa.gov.ph.
They may also contact the DMW’s 24/7 Assistance Center, as well as the Kumusta Kabayan hotlines at (02) 8722-1144 and (02) 8722-1155, or through WhatsApp and Viber at +639205171059, +639271478186 and +639083268344. (Marita Moaje/PNA)
