134 distressed OFWs repatriated from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia

MANILA, Philippines – Over a hundred distressed Filipino workers from the Middle East have arrived since late Sunday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as part of the government’s repatriation program.

The 134 workers, assisted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, were brought back home from Lebanon and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, beginning Sunday afternoon until late evening.

The Media Affairs Division of the Manila International Airport Authority said the first batch of 98 workers flew in from Lebanon at around 3:15 p.m. at the NAIA Terminal 1 via Etihad Airlines.

They were housed at the Filipino Workers Resource Center prior to their trip back home.

A few hours later at 6:55 p.m., some 16 workers and nine children arrived from Jeddah, followed by the arrival of 20 adults and 16 children at around 11:10 p.m. Sunday evening via Etihad Airlines.

Some of the workers were overstaying while others left their employers due to contract problems.