The Philippine government has begun moving workers home from the Middle East through a series of chartered flights, with two groups already in transit and a third departure being arranged.
Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro made the announcement during a press briefing in New York City, confirming that repatriation costs will be covered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Emergency Repatriation Fund.
A group of 20 OFWs and their dependents based in Dubai crossed into Oman by land before boarding a flight from Muscat bound for Manila, with their arrival expected Tuesday evening.
The route taken by workers from Israel was more complex. Sixteen OFWs traveled overland from Tel Aviv to the southern Israeli town of Eilat before crossing into Egypt through the Taba border crossing. “Today, 16 Israel OFWs from Tel Aviv traveled by land to the southern Israel town of Eilat which borders Egypt via the Taba border crossing,” Castro said. From Cairo, they will fly to Muscat before continuing on to Manila, with their arrival expected Wednesday night.
A third repatriation movement is also being arranged through an Emirates Airlines flight. According to Castro, citing a statement from OWWA Administrator Cacdac, the flight would originate in Dubai and pick up additional Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, with a tentative departure set for March 14.
