Over 300 OFWs return from Gulf

More than 300 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East arrived in the Philippines on Monday, the Department of Migrant Workers said.

The fourth chartered flight carried 343 repatriates — 317 OFWs and 26 dependents — from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

The repatriation was led by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan and coordinated through the Department of Foreign Affairs’ One Country Team approach.

So far, the government has repatriated 1,420 OFWs and their dependents through chartered and commercial flights.

“Chartered flights will continue for Filipinos, especially OFWs and their dependents who wish to return home due to the situation in the Middle East,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

Government agencies provided financial and medical assistance, temporary accommodation and transportation to help returnees reach their home provinces.