The remains of the three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in a recent fire that razed a housing facility for foreign workers in Al-Mangaf, Kuwait will be flown back to the Philippines soon, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assured Friday, June 14.

OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio said that the agency has been working with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait to repatriate the remains of Jesus Lopez, Edwin Petilla and Jeffrey Catubay.

“Rest assured that we will extend all the necessary assistance the families of our OFWs who are affected by this kind of situation. We’re very quick on acting on the needs of our OFWs. In fact, the repatriation of their remains is already being processed,” he said in a televised public briefing.

Lopez, Petilla, and Catubay were workers at a construction company in Kuwait, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

They died from smoke inhalation when a fire broke out at the housing facility in Al-Mangaf, a coastal city south of Kuwait City, where the construction workers were living on June 12.

They were among the 11 OFWs affected by the incident – five others were deemed safe, two remained in critical condition at the intensive care unit (ICU), while one was already discharged from the hospital.

“Our OWWA officers have already reached out to their families. Two of the fatalities are not active members of OWWA, only one was active so he will be getting the full benefits,” Ignacio said.

He noted that certain benefits will still be provided to the other fire victims.

In total, at least 49 people were killed in the incident, according to the DMW, citing data from Kuwait's interior ministry.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the standing order of President Marcos Jr. is to extend all the necessary assistance and support to the families of the victims.

"The Kuwaiti government has assured us of utmost assistance. There will be a right time for financial assistance including insurance proceeds especially to the families of the deceased. In due time this will all be given but the priority at this stage is the repatriation of the human remains, and the safety and well-being of the two in the ICU and six who are safe. They will also be repatriated in due time," Cacdac said.

Meanwhile, the DMW has asked its legal team to secure a copy of the investigative findings of the Kuwaiti fire authorities.

"Should there be any legal liabilities mentioned in that report, we asked our lawyer to immediately study the possibility of taking action," Cacdac said.