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Government-chartered flight carrying distressed and stranded OFWs from Riyadh lands safely at NAIA on March 15, 2026.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Sunday, March 15, that a total of 1,315 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents affected by the crisis in the Middle East have been assisted by the government and safely returned to the Philippines.
According to the DMW, from March 5 to March 14, the figure included 1,022 OFWs and 293 dependents who were stranded or repatriated under the Bagong Pilipinas Repatriation Program of the administration.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government is prioritizing OFWs located in high-risk areas, those who are ill, or those with other humanitarian concerns while arrangements are being made for their safe return to the country.
Cacdac added that the government continues to coordinate with various agencies to ensure that affected Filipino migrant workers abroad receive immediate assistance.
"Sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., tinitiyak ng DMW ang tuloy-tuloy na koordinasyon ng pamahalaan upang matulungan ang mga apektadong OFW sa ibat-ibang paraan kabilang ang airport assistance, financial aid, repatriation at reintegration services, upang matiyak ang kanilang kaligtasan at muling pagbangon," the DMW said in a statement posted on Facebook.
(Under the directive of President Marcos Jr., the DMW ensures continuous government coordination to assist affected OFWs in various ways, including airport assistance, financial aid, repatriation, and reintegration services, to ensure their safety and help them recover and rebuild their lives.)
The evacuation efforts come as tensions in the region continue to rise following airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Iran has responded with attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf. These strikes have extended beyond military targets, hitting civilian sites and energy facilities.
The Department of Foreign Affairs estimates 2.4 million Filipinos live and work across the Middle East.
