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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos allots additional P3 billion for repatriation, reintegration of OFWs from Middle East

Marcos allots additional P3 billion for repatriation, reintegration of OFWs from Middle East

Published Jun 21, 2026 08:18 am  |  Updated Jun 21, 2026 02:01 pm

At A Glance

  • President Marcos has ordered the release of an additional P3 billion to support the repatriation and reintegration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the conflict in the Middle East.
  • Over 10,000 Filipinos, including OFWs, dependents, and stranded citizens, have already been brought home through government-organized humanitarian flights.
  • The additional funds will cover the entire repatriation chain, from flights and post-arrival assistance to livelihood and employment opportunities.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

President Marcos has ordered the release of an additional P3 billion to strengthen the government's repatriation and reintegration program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the additional funds would finance the entire "repatriation chain," including post-departure assistance, flights, and reintegration services for returning Filipinos.

"War or not, there are Filipinos in extreme distress that we should bring home," Recto said in a statement on Sunday, June 21.

As of June 17, a total of 10,446 Filipinos had been safely returned to the Philippines through Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)-organized humanitarian flights.

The figure includes 8,281 OFWs, 1,803 dependents, and 362 stranded Filipino citizens.

Recto said some of the flights had also served as medical evacuation missions.

"If you will recall, these flights became medevacs for sick Filipinos as well. The DMW, through the brilliant leadership of Secretary Hans Cacdac, brought medical personnel on board to care for them," he said.

Beyond the airport

According to Recto, President Marcos does not want repatriation efforts to end once displaced Filipinos arrive in the country.

"Ang utos niya ay hindi puwedeng paglapag dito, bahala na kayo (His instruction is that it cannot be a case of 'you've landed here, you're on your own’),” he said.

“Ang gusto ng Pangulo, may hatid sa probinsya sa lubhang nangangailangan, at higit sa lahat, mga economic opportunities (The President wants transportation assistance to the provinces for those in dire need and, above all, economic opportunities),” he added.

The Executive Secretary said returning OFWs may avail themselves of a "standard welcome package" that includes financial assistance, psychosocial counseling, medical assessment, reemployment guidance, and livelihood support.

Jobs, livelihood support

To hasten the reintegration of returning workers, the DMW has already conducted 15 Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa National Reintegration Network and Job Fairs nationwide.

The one-stop-shop fairs connect OFWs to local and overseas employment opportunities, livelihood support, and financial literacy programs.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's (OWWA) Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program has also extended livelihood assistance to 664 recently returned OFWs.

Under the program, an OFW may receive as much as P20,000 in start-up assistance for a small business.

Recto said the government also sees the return of OFWs as an opportunity to harness their skills and experience acquired abroad.

"By tapping the skills of the OFWs honed by their work abroad, society benefits as well. This is a kind of technology transfer that helps the economy. This is a brain gain we need," he said.

Pathway for returning teachers

The government is also opening opportunities for returning Filipino professionals.

According to Recto, the Department of Education (DepEd) has created a "hiring pathway" that would allow returning Philippine-licensed teachers to join the public school system.

Latest data from DepEd showed that around 10,000 former OFWs have joined the country's public teaching force through various administrations.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Ralph Recto Executive Secretary Ralph Recto OFWs repatriates
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