Manila: The Philippine government welcomed home the first batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East with a comprehensive package of assistance, including rescue and transport, as well as medical, financial, and reintegration support. Among the 31 OFWs who arrived was Arman Naz, a hotel worker from Tel Aviv, Israel, who opted for repatriation after enduring days of missile attacks by Iran and fear for his life.
According to Philippines News Agency, Naz recalled that when sirens started and bombs were falling, they all rushed to shelters afraid and trembling, not knowing what would happen next, and that was when he decided he had to go home. "Nakaka-trauma, kaya I decided na magpa-repat kasi hindi ko talaga sure yung kaligtasan ko doon. So nag request ako sa OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), sa MWO (Migrant Workers Office) para magpa-repat. Na experience ko talaga yung hidwaan sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa (It was traumatic so I decided to get repatriated because I wasn't really sure about my safety there. So I requested OWWA, MWO to get repatriated. I really experienced the conflict between the two countries)," he said.
Also included in the repatriated OFWs were a pregnant woman, a cancer patient, and another sick elderly OFW. They are now being taken care of by the Department of Health (DOH). Naz mentioned that like him, many other OFWs in Israel also want to come home but are apprehensive about leaving their work and going back to the Philippines. He expressed a desire to work abroad in the future, but not in Israel anymore.
The repatriation was carried out through a whole-of-government effort directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., mobilizing the DMW, OWWA, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, who personally led the repatriation mission, said that together with the Philippine embassy officials in Jordan, they met the repatriates at the Israel-Jordan border crossing, overseeing their safe passage to Jordan, including the processing of documents both on the Israel and Jordanian side, before flying them home.
However, as soon as they boarded another plane in Doha after their layover, the group got briefly stranded due to a sudden airspace closure, but returned safely to Manila with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Qatar. Cacdac recalled the situation in Doha, noting the intensity and possible complications of the conflict, which led to a nine-hour delay. Ambassador Boy Melicor and the Philippine Embassy in Qatar provided full support during the unexpected stopover.
Upon arrival in Manila, the OFWs received PHP150,000 each in financial assistance from the DMW's Aksyon Fund and OWWA's Emergency Response Fund (ERF). The DSWD, through Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez, announced an additional PHP10,000 in immediate financial aid for the OFWs. The DOH conducted medical assessments and treatment, including psychosocial support for trauma survivors. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa committed to further free health services for the repatriates and emphasized the importance of providing necessary services to the OFWs, whom he referred to as the country's heroes.
Each OFW repatriate also received skills training vouchers from TESDA to support re-employment or livelihood opportunities. OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan reported that 311 OFWs in Israel have expressed intent to be repatriated, with a second batch of 50 OFWs scheduled to arrive soon. Government shelters and hotlines in Israel remain operational, offering safe housing to displaced OFWs.
Cacdac plans to travel to Bahrain to assess the situation of OFWs there and discuss potential contingency measures with the Bahrain government.
