Six overseas Filipino workers (OFW) repatriated from Iran arrived in the Philippines on Saturday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

Five of the OFWs had been employed as shrimp hatchery technicians in Iran, while the sixth was a Dubai-based domestic worker who had accompanied her employer on a visit to Iran. They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 aboard Emirates flight EK 334.

The repatriated workers were met by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo de Vega, DMW Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi, along with a MIA medical team and a social welfare officer from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

They were provided food, medical services, temporary hotel accommodations, and domestic flights back to their home provinces, along with financial assistance of P150,000 each through the Aksyon Fund.

They were repatriated through the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Tehran headed by Ambassador Roberto Manalo in coordination with the DMW and OWWA.

Two more OFWs from Iran will arrive later on Saturday at 10 p.m., the DMW added.

Meanwhile, to support their reintegration, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will give them scholarship certificates.

Tesda District Director Cariza Dacuma said that with the certificates they could select a technical-vocational course in a training center near their homes.

“We present these to them, what they can get with these certificates, how they can use them, who can use them, and what they can do after completing their training,” Dacuma said.

She said immediate family members of the repatriated workers may also avail of the training benefits.

According to Dacuma, the most popular Tesda training programs of repatriated workers looking to work abroad again are bread and pastry production, housekeeping, and caregiving.

“Those who want to stay in the country request training in electrical installation and maintenance, refrigeration and air conditioning. Among the women, I spoke to someone who wants aesthetic services… maybe they want to open a parlor or salon,” she said.

Applicants may register online but are encouraged to visit the nearest Tesda provincial or district office.