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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Over 300 Filipinos from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain repatriated on second gov't-chartered flight

Over 300 Filipinos from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain repatriated on second gov't-chartered flight

Published Mar 15, 2026 03:15 pm
Courtesy of Department of Migrant Workers
Courtesy of Department of Migrant Workers
A total of 343 Filipinos, mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), landed safely at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday morning, March 15, after they were repatriated from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain by the national government amid the continuing tensions in the Middle East.
The group included 328 OFWs and their accompanying children, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac. They were part of the second batch of voluntary repatriates who wished to come back home amid the conflict.
“Laking pasasalamat po natin (We are very grateful) that they landed safely,” Cacdac said in a press briefing shortly after the group landed at NAIA Terminal I around 7 a.m. onboard a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight chartered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The flight marked the second government charter under the ongoing action plan to expedite the repatriation of OFWs affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
The repatriated workers came from Al Khobar, Dammam, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, as well as Bahrain. They had traveled over land to reach the flight departure points.
The DMW has coordinated with airlines, border authorities, and local governments to ensure the Filipino workers’ smooth processing.
They were welcomed by Cacdac, OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Gloria J. Balboa, and representatives from New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other government agencies.
Upon arrival, the OFWs were immediately provided with hotel accommodation, medical check-ups, meals, and transport to their home provinces.
They will also receive financial aid to support their reintegration, as well as access to job fairs, livelihood programs, and reskilling opportunities offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and medical assistance under the supervision of the Department of Health.
Earlier, President Marcos Jr. directed the government to accelerate assistance to stranded Filipinos and ensure their safe return.
“In the next coming days, what you can expect is katulad ng nakita niyo ngayong Linggo, araw-araw na darating ang mga commercial flights (as you saw this Sunday, the commercial flights will arrive daily),” Caunan said.

Related Tags

DMW OWWA OFWs repatriation Middle East conflict
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