The Philippine government has begun repatriating overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from several Middle East countries through chartered and commercial flights as tensions in the region continue to disrupt travel routes.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said authorities have coordinated special travel arrangements to ensure Filipinos abroad can safely return home.
PCO Undersecretary and press officer Claire Castro said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is working with foreign counterparts to establish alternative routes for repatriation.
“Today, 16 OFWs from Tel Aviv traveled by land to the southern Israel town of Eilat, which borders Egypt via the Taba Border Crossing,” Castro said.
The group crossed into Egypt and will take a flight from Cairo to Muscat before heading to Manila. Their estimated time of arrival is 9:30 p.m. on March 11, Philippine time.
Another batch of Filipinos is returning from the United Arab Emirates. Castro said 20 OFWs and nine dependents traveled from Dubai to Oman through the Khatmat-Malaha Border Crossing in northern Oman.
After crossing the border, they proceeded to Muscat and are scheduled to take a Muscat-to-Manila flight arriving at 9:30 p.m. on March 10.
The government has also secured additional commercial airline seats for other repatriates departing from Dubai through Emirates.
Meanwhile, the DMW is arranging flights for Filipinos in Riyadh, with the earliest departure currently scheduled for March 14.
The repatriation efforts are funded through the Emergency Repatriation Fund of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Since the conflict began, more than 400 Filipinos have returned to the Philippines as the government continues to prioritize the safety and welfare of its nationals abroad, Castro said.
