New york: The Philippine government is arranging two charter flights to repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Tuesday. In an interview at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel after his two-day working visit, Marcos stated that the government is ready to assist all Filipinos abroad who wish to return home amid the crisis.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos noted that around three commercial flights operated by Emirates have already transported several Filipinos from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Manila. With the situation gradually easing, the government is now preparing two additional charter flights to bring home more Filipinos who want to leave the Gulf states.
Marcos mentioned that one charter flight will depart from Riyadh to carry Filipinos from Saudi Arabia, as well as those coming from Kuwait and Bahrain. Another flight will leave from Fujairah in the UAE to transport OFWs from Dubai. The government is targeting March 13 for the departure of the charter flight from Fujairah, with the expected arrival in Manila late that night or early morning of March 14.
Personnel from the Department of National Defense and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will be deployed to assist with the repatriation efforts. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is expected to travel to Dubai to assess the situation and oversee the assistance for displaced OFWs. Filipino nationals arriving from Israel through land border crossings to neighboring countries such as Oman will also be accommodated on the charter flights.