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34,000 OFWs from Central Visayas in Middle East being monitored

Philippines | Visayas

34,000 OFWs from Central Visayas in Middle East being monitored

By Calvin Cordova

A BIRD flies by a plume of smoke rising after a strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP)

A BIRD flies by a plume of smoke rising after a strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP)

CEBU CITY – Close to 34,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Central Visayas who are currently in the war-stricken Middle East are being closely monitored.

Rex Taderna, assistant regional director of the Department of Migrant Workers-Central Visayas (DMW-7), said they are being provided in-country assistance through migrant workers offices and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) posts.

Taderna assured contingency measures in coordination with DMW-7 have been activated to ensure preparedness should the situation worsen.

He disclosed that four OFWs bound for the Middle East were stranded at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The four workers sought help primarily for flight rebooking concerns, while one requested a refund of rebooking fees.

As of March 2, the four OFWs were the only Middle East-bound OFWs monitored and assisted at MCIA.

Tadena added that the DMW-7 continues to consolidate data on the total number of Cebuano OFWs affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Comprehensive figures are currently being gathered by their Central Office as some affected workers exited through various airports nationwide, including Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Davao, and Iloilo.

“When the crisis erupted, we did not yet have complete data,” Tadena said during the MyTVCebu New Forum on Tuesday, March 7.

Related Tags

Central Visayas OFWs

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