200 OFWs to be repatriated amid Saudi attacks

The Philippine government is set to repatriate an initial group of 200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the coming weeks amid attacks in Saudi Arabia.

Under UPLIFT’s Saving Lives pillar, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Saudi Arabia, in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy, secured return tickets for affected OFWs who requested to return home.

“We will assist those needing to go home through the repatriation services for OFWs affected by the cancellations of Riyadh to Manila flights, under the AKSYON and Emergency Repatriation Funds,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

As Riyadh King Khalid International Airport has remained closed since the attacks on 10 October 2026, “every day there is a growing number of OFWs who want to come home but can’t because of the cancellations; hence, we offer stranded passengers free repatriation flights to Manila,” Cacdac further said.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan reported that 149 OFWs have already been processed and are ready for repatriation.

Meanwhile, an additional 50 OFWs from Riyadh, including those in the shelter and stranded workers, are scheduled to return home next week through repatriation efforts coordinated by the MWOs in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar, in partnership with Ambassador Raymond Balatbat of the Philippine Embassy in KSA.

“Behind every OFW waiting to come home is a family waiting for their safe return. Naiintindihan po namin ang inyong pangamba, lalo na sa mga naantala ang biyahe at hindi pa makauwi sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Patuloy po kaming nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga tanggapan sa Saudi Arabia upang matiyak na may matutuluyan, makakain, at makukuhang tulong ang ating mga kababayan habang inaayos ang kanilang pag-uwi,” Administrator Caunan said.

"Hindi po kayo nag-iisa. Kasama ninyo ang DMW at OWWA, mula sa inyong paghihintay sa Saudi Arabia hanggang sa inyong ligtas na pagdating sa Pilipinas,” she added.

Meanwhile, the DMW and OWWA, through the MWOs, continue to monitor and assist OFWs affected by the recent missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia. Approximately 258 affected OFWs, including those who were stranded or injured, received food, temporary shelter, transportation, financial aid, and on-site medical assistance.