Two repatriation flights are being arranged by the Philippine government for overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East — one departing from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and another from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates — as Manila moves to bring home workers who wish to leave the region amid the ongoing conflict.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed the flight details during a press briefing in New York City on Tuesday, noting that OFWs from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain would be served by the Riyadh departure, while those in Dubai and the broader UAE would board from Fujairah.
“The target date of departure from Fujairah and the UAE is March 13, (their expected arrival in) Manila, gabi ng March 13 or early morning of the 14th,” Marcos said.
The President said conditions in the region have improved enough to consider charter flights. “We have made many arrangements. We are arranging charter flights kasi medyo lumuwag na ang sitwasyon,” he said.
Emirates airline flights from Dubai to Manila have already carried some workers home. “Yung lumipad na Emirates coming out of Dubai, nakatatlong flight na yata tayo. Dubai-Manila ‘yun… So, that’s direct and naisakay natin ‘yung mga ibang Pilipino,” Marcos said.
To get a firsthand assessment of conditions in the UAE, the President dispatched Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to Dubai. “Ang sabi ko, sumakay siya para makapag-report siya nang mabuti kung ano ba talaga ang sitwasyon doon,” Marcos said.
The government is also weighing the deployment of personnel from the Department of National Defense and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to support the repatriation operations.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the timing of flights had been carefully managed given the volatility in the region. “Inalala ng Pangulo ang maaaring danger kung agad-agad mailipad ang ating mga kababayan kung patuloy ang pagbobomba o ‘yung mga air attacks sa pagitan ng mga bansa na kinapapalooban ng Middle East,” she said.
Castro added that airspace closures in late February had prompted Malacañang to convene a special Cabinet meeting on March 3 to map out the repatriation plan.
Marcos said land border crossings between the UAE and Israel, which have since reopened, also factor into the logistics as alternative routes for workers seeking to return home.
