205 Filipinos repatriated from ME

A TOTAL of 205 Filipinos has been repatriated by the government from two Middle East (ME) countries from May 3 to May 4, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported.

In a press release on Monday, the DMW said 97 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait and three dependents have been repatriated through Kuwait Airways on the morning of May 4.

Meanwhile, 105 Filipinos composed of 62 OFWs and 43 dependents arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Abu Dhabi aboard an Etihad Airways flight on Sunday.

The repatriation program is a joint effort conducted by the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to assist the OFWs affected by the US-Israel and Iran conflict in the Middle East.

Aside from the repatriation, the DMW and OWWA, in partnership with 25 agencies, also have a reintegration assistance program to help the OFWs return to the workforce.

The repatriation assistance began on March 5, with more than 7,000 Filipinos repatriated through government-funded and chartered flights. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel