Marilyn Cahatol

Passengers on a chartered flight from the Middle East—consisting of 153 Overseas Filipino Workers, 114 dependents, and 50 stranded Filipinos—arrived at Villamor Air Base on March 19, 2026. The third chartered flight was made possible through coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Philippine Consulate General and Migrant Workers Office in Dubai, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The repatriation followed instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to assist Filipinos who opted to return to the country amid growing tensions in the Middle East.  Yummie Dingding, PPA pool

Passengers on a chartered flight from the Middle East—consisting of 153 Overseas Filipino Workers, 114 dependents, and 50 stranded Filipinos—arrived at Villamor Air Base on March 19, 2026. The third chartered flight was made possible through coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Philippine Consulate General and Migrant Workers Office in Dubai, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The repatriation followed instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to assist Filipinos who opted to return to the country amid growing tensions in the Middle East.

Article (news)

What assistance does government provide to repatriated OFWs?

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177406694705320260320-ofw-repatriation-middle-east-conflict-PPA15.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Passengers on a chartered flight from the Middle East—consisting of 153 Overseas Filipino Workers, 114 dependents, and 50 stranded Filipinos—arrived at Villamor Air Base on March 19, 2026. The third chartered flight was made possible through coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Philippine Consulate General and Migrant Workers Office in Dubai, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The repatriation followed instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to assist Filipinos who opted to return to the country amid growing tensions in the Middle East. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Passengers on a chartered flight from the Middle East—consisting of 153 Overseas Filipino Workers, 114 dependents, and 50 stranded Filipinos—arrived at Villamor Air Base on March 19, 2026. The third chartered flight was made possible through coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Philippine Consulate General and Migrant Workers Office in Dubai, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The repatriation followed instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to assist Filipinos who opted to return to the country amid growing tensions in the Middle East. <em>Yummie Dingding, PPA pool </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers said some <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/20/800-filipinos-still-seeking-repatriation-4th-ph-chartered-flight-to-leave-sunday-1245">800 overseas Filipino workers</a> (OFWs) from the Middle East are still seeking repatriation from the Middle East, where the US and Israel sparked a regional conflict by attacking Iran in late February.</p><p>The agency assured that OFWs who decide to fly back to the Philippines will be assisted by the state. What exactly does the government provide in assistance for repatriated OFWs?</p><p>The government’s repatriation program generally covers the provision of air tickets, airport assistance, halfway home accommodation, medical assistance or referral, domestic transport assistance, and psycho-social counseling, based on the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) <a href="https://owwa.gov.ph/repatriation/">website</a>.</p><p>The Philippine government’s assistance to repatriates extends to pre- and post-repatriation. </p><p>Before flying back to the Philippines, repatriates are provided with temporary shelter, hotel accommodation, and financial assistance.</p><p>Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac previously said a total of 12,000 Filipinos in the Middle East have been given on-site assistance, including those stranded in hotels, those needing food, water and other basic needs, and those seeking temporary accommodation or transportation to migrant workers offices.</p><p>The state also charters flights to bring Filipinos back from the Middle East, an oil-rich region that is also called West Asia.. </p><p>A total of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/18/ph-sends-third-gov-t-chartered-flight-for-ofws-in-middle-east-1123">three chartered flights</a> have brought home about 2,000 OFWs since the repatriation program began March 5, according to DMW. </p><p>Cacdac said another chartered flight from Saudi Arabia is expected to fly to the Philippines this weekend. </p><p>In cases where airspace is restricted, the government is coordinating with countries to facilitate land crossings and flights back to the Philippines.</p><p>Upon arrival, the repatriates are given psychosocial services to help them recover from the traumatic experiences they may have had in the Middle East, said Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia. </p><p>The Department of Health is also providing immediate medical assistance for repatriates if necessary. </p><p>Olalia said the DMW is focusing on full-cycle reintegration by providing alternative livelihood.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SKILLS TRAINING AVAILABLE</strong></div><p>The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Monday said it will<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/16/tesda-to-link-repatriated-ofws-to-ph-industries-1537"></a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/16/tesda-to-link-repatriated-ofws-to-ph-industries-1537"> link OFWs </a>from the conflict-affected areas to local industries.</p><p>The OFWs will undergo screening to see the right fit, based on their skills and experiences. </p><p>They will also be given priority slots in TESDA’s training programs, according to Undersecretary Nelly Dillera. </p><p>Aside from this initiative, TESDA also offers the OFW Reintegration for Skills Employment (RISE) Program, an online course that helps OFWs transform ideas into business plans. It is implemented in partnership with OWWA, Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), and Coca-Cola Philippines.</p><p>Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Spokesperson Irene Dumlao last week said the agency may also provide a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/13/dmw-mounts-repatriation-flights-for-ofws-in-kuwait-uae-1452">seed capital fund of P20,000</a> for OFWs who wish to start their own business in the Philippines.</p><p>The DMW, OWWA and Philippine embassies in Middle East countries have emergency hotlines for Filipinos who want to go home or in need of other assistance. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/2/list-emergency-hotlines-for-filipinos-in-middle-east-1145">LIST: Emergency hotlines for Filipinos in Middle East</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>P38-B ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR OFWS SOUGHT</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Akbayan Party-list Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, filed House Bill 8495, seeking a P52.8-billion supplemental budget for the sectors most affected by the conflict. </p><p>This includes an P18-billion emergency fund for OFW repatriation, and another P20 billion for their reintegration.  </p><p>Former House member Teddy Baguilat of Mamamayang Liberal Party-List, meanwhile, called for strengthened protection for OFWs in the Middle East. </p><p>“Sa ating mga OFW at sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay: hindi kayo nag-iisa. Responsibilidad ng gobyerno na siguraduhin ang malinaw na impormasyon, sapat na tulong sa embahada, at agarang repatriation kung kinakailangan,” he said. </p><p>(To our OFWs and their loved ones: you are not alone. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure clear information, sufficient assistance to embassies, and immediate repatriation if needed.) <strong>— With reports from David Dizon, Chalssea Kate Echegoyen, Allison Co, and Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/20/of-more-than-26-000-filipinos-in-israel-only-81-seek-repatriation-envoy-1630">Of more than 26,000 Filipinos in Israel, only 81 seek repatriation — envoy</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PnyaP9PtLuc?si=2z0tRq1cxS7-emcq" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The government’s repatriation program generally covers the provision of air ticket, airport assistance, halfway home accommodation, medical assistance or referral, domestic transport assistance, and psycho-social counselling, based on the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) <a href="https://owwa.gov.ph/repatriation/">website</a>.</p>

The government’s repatriation program generally covers the provision of air ticket, airport assistance, halfway home accommodation, medical assistance or referral, domestic transport assistance, and psycho-social counselling, based on the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) website .