Manila: A total of 94 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and three dependents have returned to the Philippines, thanks to the government's ongoing repatriation efforts.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced that 45 OFWs and one dependent from Israel arrived on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. They traveled via Etihad Airways Flight EY440. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) confirmed that these Filipino workers had availed themselves of the government's voluntary repatriation program.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, another group of 49 OFWs and two dependents arrived from Jeddah and Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The DMW reported that 17 OFWs from Al Khobar flew in via Qatar Airways Flight QR932, while 32 OFWs and two dependents from Jeddah arrived on Saudia Airlines Flight SV870. These repatriates had been staying at Bahay Kalinga shelters in Saudi Arabia after experiencing employment-related issues and sought assistance to return home.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, along with teams from DMW and OWWA, welcomed the repatriates. They provided immediate financial assistance through the DMW AKSYON Fund and offered support from OWWA, including temporary accommodation and transportation services to their home provinces. Additionally, the OFWs received medical check-ups from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Medical and were referred to relevant government agencies for further assistance to aid in their reintegration.

Earlier in the week, on Monday evening, 39 Filipino trafficking victims from Nigeria were also flown home. They had been among those arrested during a large-scale raid by Nigerian authorities in December 2024, which targeted cryptocurrency and love scam operations.