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OWWA: 57,486 OFWs from Western Visayas in Middle East at risk from conflict

Philippines | Visayas

OWWA: 57,486 OFWs from Western Visayas in Middle East at risk from conflict

By Tara Yap

A SHEPHERD boy walks away from an unexploded Iranian projectile that landed in an open field in the outskirts of Qamishli, eastern Syria, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP)

A SHEPHERD boy walks away from an unexploded Iranian projectile that landed in an open field in the outskirts of Qamishli, eastern Syria, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP)

ILOILO CITY – There are 57,486 Overseas Filipino workers from Western Visayas region at risk from tension in the Middle East, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said.

OWWA-6 Director James Mendiola said they are from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Iloilo City.

The number also covered OFWs from Negros Occidental province and Bacolod City, part of Negros Island Region, but are still under the jurisdiction of OWWA-6.

Mendiola said Saudi Arabia has 18,665 OFWs; United Arab Emirates, 15,764; Kuwait, 13,204; Qatar, 4,950; Bahrain, 1,896; and Oman, 1,456. There are 506 OFWs in Lebanon, 554 OFWs in Jordan, and 15 OFWs in Iraq.

Mendiola said they are still collating data from the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) of local government units (LGUs). There is currently no repatriation of OFWs from Western Visayas.

OWWA is an attached agency of the Department of Migrant Workers.

Related Tags

OFW Western Visayas Middle East OWWA

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