Manila: A total of 47 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait, Israel, and the Red Sea were safely repatriated to the Philippines over the weekend, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the group includes 20 OFWs from Kuwait, 16 from Israel, and 11 Filipino crew members of the MV Magic Seas, a cargo vessel attacked by Houthi rebels while sailing through the Red Sea. The repatriation was carried out in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure the safety and well-being of all Filipino workers abroad, OWWA said in a Facebook post.

The OFWs from Kuwait arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 via flight WY843 on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, 16 OFWs from Israel who availed of the Philippine government's voluntary repatriation program amid tensions between Iran and Israel arrived via Flight PR659 at NAIA Terminal 1, while the 11 rescued Filipino crew members of MV Magic Seas arrived in the evening.

According to OWWA, a total of 90 OFWs from Israel have returned home since the start of the voluntary repatriation initiative. Since the regional tensions broke out in October 2023, around 1,424 Filipinos have been repatriated from the Middle East.

All repatriated OFWs were welcomed by officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), OWWA, and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Medical Team. They received immediate financial aid, medical checks, psychosocial support, and transportation assistance back to their home provinces. They will also be provided with financial assistance and reintegration support in partnership with other concerned government agencies.