Over 4,500 OFWs Receive Emergency Cash Aid as Middle East Instability Disrupts Jobs
MANILA — The Philippine government is ramping up financial aid for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by ongoing instability in the Middle East, with thousands already receiving assistance, officials said Friday. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has begun distributing USD200 (about PHP12,000) in cash assistance to OFWs whose jobs have been disrupted...
PH government ramps up Middle East repatriation, over 5,000 OFWs brought home
The Philippine government is accelerating efforts to bring home its nationals from the Middle East, with about 2,500 overseas Filipino workers expected to return in the coming days, officials said Monday. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said 342 workers and their dependents arrived in Manila on the government’s ninth chartered flight, bringing the total number of repatriated Filipinos to...
Hong Kong advisers back diesel subsidy as fuel costs surge
A proposed government subsidy on diesel fuel for commercial vehicles and vessels is a reasonable step to cushion the broader economic impact of rising energy prices, a key advisory body said Friday, as lawmakers began scrutinizing the plan. The government has proposed a HK$3 (38 U.S. cents) per litre subsidy for diesel over two months, part of a package aimed...
Financial losses surge in Hong Kong as scammers pivot to account takeovers
Technological crimes in Hong Kong dropped in frequency last year, but the financial toll on victims rose sharply as scammers moved away from credit card fraud toward the total takeover of digital accounts, police said. Data released by authorities showed that 31,571 tech-related crimes were recorded in 2025, a 6.9 percent decrease from the previous year. Despite the decline in...
OFWs laud Philippine housing program as path to long-awaited homeownership
Overseas Filipino workers are crediting a government housing program for helping them secure homes after years of working abroad, calling it a milestone in their efforts to provide stability for their families. Rosemarie Libanan, who has worked in Saudi Arabia for 18 years, said she is looking forward to returning home to see her first house, located at Crystal Peak...
Fuel costs nearly triple for Hong Kong bus giants amid Middle East conflict
Hong Kong’s dominant bus operators warned Friday that a dramatic surge in refined oil prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East has placed “unprecedented” financial strain on the city’s public transport network. In a rare joint statement, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) and Citybus revealed that the cost of refined oil has nearly tripled since late February. While global...
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Fleeing Middle East Conflict Arrive in Manila After Land, Air Transit
More than 160 Filipinos fleeing escalating tensions in the Middle East arrived safely in Manila on Thursday, marking the latest wave of government-led repatriations as regional instability continues to rattle migrant workers. The group of 166 individuals—comprising 150 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and 16 dependents—arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 following a complex journey from Kuwait. According to...
AirAsia X Hikes Fares, Cuts 10% of Flights Amid Iran Conflict and Soaring Fuel Costs
AirAsia X, Southeast Asia’s largest long-haul budget carrier, announced Monday it is raising fares and trimming its flight schedule to combat soaring fuel costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in Iran. The Malaysia-based airline has cut approximately 10 percent of its total flight capacity to date, targeting routes where ticket sales can no longer offset the spike in jet fuel...
Government Offered Seed capital and upskilling to 4,000 repatriated OFWs from Middle East Conflict
The Philippine government has intensified its reintegration programs for displaced overseas workers as the number of citizens repatriated from volatile regions worldwide nears 4,000, officials said Monday. Speaking at the "Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa" national fair, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government is adopting a "whole-of-government" approach to ensure that returning Filipinos do...
