A total of 101 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated from Saudi Arabia as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) continues to push for welfare of distressed Pinoy workers abroad.
The OFWs arrived on Wednesday night, Sept. 14, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with DMW Sec. Susan "Toots" Ople who went to Saudi Arabia for a series of discussions with her counterpart.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnaldo Ignacio, who is part of the entourage, said the OFWs were properly documented and they undergo health protocol before sending them back to their corresponding provinces.
“This is a huge success for us. We personally process their repatriations under the guidance of our good Secretary Toots Ople. Napakasarap ng pakiramdam na ganito, may naiuuwi kang OFW na sabik na sabik sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay {It's a great feeling like this, bringing home our OFWs who is eager to be with their loved ones},” Ignacio said.
Meanwhile, DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the repatriation of OFWs from Saudi is a manifestation of shared responsibility between the Philippines and the government of Saudi Arabia as a result of the successful bilateral talks between both countries.

“This is the result that we are saying. After the successful talks with the Saudi government spearheaded by our secretary Toots Ople, this came to a quick response. As part of our shared responsibility, this is a manifestation of a better bilateral commitment to the cooperation of our country and the Saudi government,” Cacdad said in an interview.
Cacdac also revealed that there are still at least 500 distressed OFWs sheltered in different Philippine labor offices in KSA.
He said their cases have been documented and are now being processed.