As the conflict in the region continues to be a huge concern.
On Tuesday, June 24, the first batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and tourist that were repatriated from the Middle East arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City via Qatar Airways flight QR 934.
The group comprises of 31 nationals, with the breakdown provided by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) indicating that 26 were from Israel, 3 from Jordan, and 1 each from Palestine and Qatar.
They were accompanied by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Asec. Veneciao Legaspi from the Philippine Embassy in Amman, Jordan all the way back to Manila.
However, in the middle of their travel, the team’s flight was grounded due to the closure of Qatari airspace amid external attacks from Iran on a US base in the country.
But they departed in the early morning of June 24, as soon as civilian flights resumed from Doha.
As it had been previously announced by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the repatriates have been provided with immediate PHP 150,000 financial support from the DMW and OWWA, along with temporary shelter or onward transportation to their respective provinces.
Aside from that, the Department of Health (DOH) was also on standby to give assistance to two repatriates.
“The DOH will provide medical services and assistance to one cancer patient-repatriate, and one pregnant OFW, including mental wellness check-up to ensure their overall well-being,” Health Secretary Tedoro Herbosa said.
Meanwhile, Secretary Cacdac assured that the agency is ready to assist those who would avail of the government’s voluntary repatriation program from Iran and Israel, as well as other countries in the Middle East region as the tension rises.
“We are encouraging OFWs to avail of the voluntary repatriation program. And sa pag-uwi nila, a whole-of-government approach ang nakahanda, with President Marcos Jr. as our moving force, and unprecedented whole-of-government assistance and other forms of support under the Bagong Pilipinas”, Cacdac shared.
Currently, the DMW has accounted 311 requests for repatriation from OFWs in Israel, and 50 of which are set to return to the Philippines soon.