First batch of repatriated OFWs from the Middle East arrives in PH

PASAY CITY — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has successfully repatriated the first batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East amid rising tensions in the region.

The group arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 around 7:39 pm, Tuesday, June 24, aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR 934. They were accompanied by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

The group faced flight delays due to the temporary closure of Qatari airspace amid external attacks, but was able to depart safely around 5:33am (Manila time) June 24 after flights resumed.

The first batch consisted of 31 repatriates: 26 from Israel, three from Jordan, one from Palestine, and one from Qatar. OFWs from Israel traveled to Jordan last June 22.

"The Israeli-Jordanian border crossing kung saan nandoon kami, inatasan ako ng ating Pangulo nandoon mismo salubungin. Kaya nandoon kami mismo ni Ambassador Fred Santos doon mismo sa King Hussein border crossing kung saan  sinalubong ang 26 na nanumbalik [ofws]. And of course tulong sa processing. 
May Israeli side border processing. Meron Jordanian side border processing. So lahat 'yon inasistihan ng ating teams on the ground," Cacdac said.

Joining the welcoming team at NAIA Terminal 3 were Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez and TESDA Deputy Director General Felizardo Colambo.

Each OFW received P150,000 in immediate financial assistance from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), along with airport aid such as temporary shelter and onward transportation to their home provinces.

They will also received an additional Php 10,000 cash assistance from DSWD.

Secretary Ted Herbosa said that the DOH will offer free healthcare services for the repatriates. They will also conduct a free psychosocial counseling for all OFWs affected by the Iran-Israel conflict.

"May mga espesyalista kami especially sa post traumatic stress, lalo na sa state of war. Matindi ang experience nila. A lot them came in with stress. For the remaining filipinos, nag-arrange kami ng psycho-social support through telemedicine via zoom. Mangyayari tomorrow night... early evening doon," Herbosa said.

"Lahat ng mangangailangan ng healthcare sabi ko sagot na ng Department of Health. Yung isang buntis, manganganak siya sa October 5, sagot na namin yung panganganak. May isa, may additional treatment for severe illness, sagot na rin ng department of health. May isa pang lumapit sabi niya may spine injury siya, kailangan ng surgery, sabi ko na rin yung pagpapatingin sa specialist, at kung kailangan operahan, sagot na rin ng Department of Health," he added.

The government also assured long-term support for the repatriates.

Through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, the DMW will assist them in accessing livelihood programs, employment referrals, TESDA training vouchers, and business mentorship from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Meanwhile, the DMW reported that it has received 311 repatriation requests from OFWs in Israel, with 50 more scheduled to return in the coming days, via a commercial flight.

"Meron po tayong next batch na repatriation, 50 po na OFWs. Initially po, ang tinitingnan nating flight sa kanila ay around June 26, June 27. Pero antabayan niyo po kung ano 'yung final na date kasi nga po naapektuhan po ito 'yung schedule nila ng closure ng mga airspace sa Middle East," said OWWA Administrator Patricia Caunan.

When asked if the government will arrange a chartered flight for the remaining affected OFWs, Sec. Cacdac said, "that is always an option" but opted not to give further information for security reasons.

TOTAL DEPLOYMENT BAN

Meanwhile, DMW reiterated that Alert level 3 is still raised in Israel, Iran and Lebanon which means that Philippine government is implementing a total deployment ban of OFWs in the said countries.

Cacdac is also set to fly out to Bahrain tomorrow, to have a meeting with other officials and discuss possible contingency measures in the area, should the conflict between Iran and Israel continue to escalate.

OFW RESCUED IN ISRAEL

An OFW was successfully rescued by authorities in Be'er Sheva, Israel, after she got trapped inside a bomb shelter, Monday afternoon.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Caunan said that the OFW did not sustain any injuries and is now safe.