MANILA, Philippines — Nine overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur safely returned to the Philippines on June 24, 2025, after being repatriated from the Middle East amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced Thursday.
Eight of the workers were employed in Israel, while one was based in Jordan, according to OWWA’s Ilocos regional office. Their return was facilitated despite flight disruptions caused by Qatar’s temporary airspace closure, with flights successfully rerouted to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
The repatriation effort was overseen by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Undersecretary Venecio Legaspi, who accompanied the workers on their journey home. Each returnee received PHP150,000 in financial assistance—PHP75,000 from OWWA and PHP75,000 from DMW—along with training vouchers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), medical support from the Department of Health, and referrals for additional aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“We experienced flight delays due to airspace restrictions, but what’s really important is that we are here at home, safe and sound,” Cacdac said in a statement.
Cacdac emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the returnees, promising assistance in securing sustainable livelihoods or new employment opportunities. He urged other OFWs in the region to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation program, highlighting a “whole-of-government response” under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas initiative to provide comprehensive support for returning workers.
The repatriation comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to raise concerns for the safety of Filipino workers abroad, prompting the government to ramp up efforts to bring them home safely.
