61 OFWs return from Saudi Arabia amid unrest

MANILA, Philippines — Sixty-one overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by unrest in Saudi Arabia have returned safely to the Philippines, receiving financial assistance, temporary accommodation and transportation from the government upon their arrival, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

The workers arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City Sunday night, where they were received and assisted by the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the Manila International Airport Authority’s (MIAA) medical team and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) also assisted the returning workers.

Aside from financial assistance and free meals, the government provided temporary accommodation and transportation, particularly for those without relatives or other companions to fetch them and those who needed to travel to their home provinces.

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Labor Attaché Geraldine Mendez assured the returning workers that government assistance would continue beyond their arrival, including programs for employment and livelihood.

“Masaya kami na nakarating kayo nang ligtas sa ating bansa. Hindi po nagtatapos ang tulong ng pamahalaan sa inyong pag-uwi. May nakahanda pong mga programa at serbisyo upang makatulong sa inyong pangangailangan, paghahanap ng trabaho, sa kabuhayan, at sa inyong muling pagsisimula,” Mendez said.

(We are glad that you have arrived safely in our country. The government’s assistance does not end with your return home. Programs and services are in place to help with your needs, job search, livelihood, and starting anew.)

Among the available assistance are livelihood programs and skills training intended to help the workers find employment or establish their own sources of income.

One of the returning OFWs also thanked the government for assisting them throughout their journey home.

“Thank you very much po at nakarating kami nang ligtas sa Pilipinas. Mula po noong umalis kami hanggang sa aming pagdating, hindi kami pinabayaan,” the worker said.

(Thank you very much for helping us arrive safely in the Philippines. From the time we left until we arrived, we were not abandoned.)

The repatriation was coordinated by the One Country Team in Riyadh, led by the Philippine Embassy, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and OWWA-Riyadh.

The DMW said the operation was part of the government’s response to the needs of Filipino workers affected by the unrest in Saudi Arabia, under the UPLIFT initiative and pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The government agency added that OFWs needing repatriation assistance or other services may contact the nearest MWO or Philippine Embassy, or call the DMW-OWWA 24-hour hotline at 1348. /ms