65 OFWs from Saudi Arabia set to arrive Tuesday

Sixty-five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Riyadh, Saudi are expected to return to the Philippines tomorrow, 20 October, after the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in cooperation with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), arranged their repatriation following flight cancellations and delays in Riyadh.

This includes 50 OFWs under the care of Saudi recruitment agencies, who were accompanied to Al Qassim by the OWWA Riyadh team, led by Welfare Officer Sergio Borgueta.

They will travel via Qatar Airways and are expected to arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City at 8:15 a.m. Also included are 15 female OFWs from Bahay Kalinga, who were personally assisted by Welfare Officer Jack Arroyo and the OWWA Riyadh team during their travel to Al Khobar.

They are scheduled to fly from Dammam aboard Gulf Air and arrive at NAIA Terminal 3 at 11:30 a.m. Arrival times are based on the current flight schedule.

Before departing, the OFWs were given a pre-flight orientation and safety briefing to clarify the details of their journey, the required documents, and the procedures to be followed upon their return.

In the Philippines, the OWWA Repatriation and Assistance Division is prepared to provide airport assistance, transportation, temporary accommodation, and domestic flight assistance for those returning to their respective provinces, based on their individual needs.

Based on the latest report, 399 OFWs are covered by the current repatriation arrangements. Out of this number, 299 OFWs have confirmed flight bookings, consisting of 249 beneficiaries assisted under the emergency repatriation fund of OWWA and 50 covered under the Aksyon Fund, while travel arrangements for an additional 100 OFWs are currently being finalized.

OWWA and DMW, in partnership with the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Riyadh, continue their coordination to arrange subsequent flights and provide the necessary support to OFWs who are waiting to return home.