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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Bulacan gov't extends aid to 8 repatriated OFWs from Middle East

Bulacan gov't extends aid to 8 repatriated OFWs from Middle East

Published Mar 24, 2026 10:36 pm
Governor Daniel R. Fernando leads the distribution of aid to eight repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the Middle East upon their arrival at the Bulacan Capitol building, City of Malolos, Bulacan on Monday, March 23, 2026. Also in the photo are Mark Joseph Bondoc of OWWA-Region 3 (5th from left), PPESO head Engr. Egbert Robles (7th from left), and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Rowena Tiongson (9th from left).
Governor Daniel R. Fernando leads the distribution of aid to eight repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the Middle East upon their arrival at the Bulacan Capitol building, City of Malolos, Bulacan on Monday, March 23, 2026. Also in the photo are Mark Joseph Bondoc of OWWA-Region 3 (5th from left), PPESO head Engr. Egbert Robles (7th from left), and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Rowena Tiongson (9th from left).
The Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB), led by Governor Daniel R. Fernando, welcomed home eight Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) repatriated from the Middle East amid ongoing regional tensions.
The OFWs, who arrived via chartered flight from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, were brought by the PGB to the Provincial Capitol together with their families.
Each received P10,000 in cash assistance, two cavans of rice, food packs, and boxes of fruits from the governor.
Fernando expressed relief at their safe return.
“Welcome back po mga minamahal naming mga Bulakenyo. Ang isipin po natin ngayon kung paano tayo nagkatuwang-tuwang at magkatulung-tulong habang nandito po kayo (Welcome back, our beloved Bulakenyos. Now let us think about how we can unite and help each other while you are here),” he said.
He urged them to join the province’s monthly job fairs organized by the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PPESO) to find work suited to their skills.
PPESO head Engr. Egbert R. Robles shared that some of the OFWs endured grueling journeys, walking for 12 hours in the dark to seek help without knowing if they would make it home safely.
The repatriated OFWs include Gracia Cabiles Galungo, Rhedell Lopez Sumang, and Christine Jalimbawa from San Jose del Monte; Maricel Cabrera Badra, Ana Katrina Caparas Osorio, and Ross Osorio from Paombong; Hannah Marjorie Martinez Cal from Norzagaray; and Manilyn Cortez Ponciano from Bocaue.
Ross Osorio expressed gratitude to the Philippine government, including the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), for ensuring their safe return.
“Sa haba po ng biyahe na pinagdaanan namin by land na hindi po namin alam kung ano po ang mangyayari sa amin. Thank you din po, Gov, sa tulong pinansyal. Malaking bagay po ito sa pagbabalik namin dito sa Pilipinas, malaking tulong po ito para sa amin (For the long trip we went through by land, we didn't know what would happen to us. Thank you, Gov, for the financial assistance. This is a big help for us in coming back here to the Philippines, it is a big help for us), she said.
Additional financial aid was also extended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through OWWA and DMW.

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