A repatriation flight carrying 198 Filipino workers and 46 of their family members landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Thursday morning, April 3, as the Philippine government continues pulling citizens out of the Middle East amid ongoing regional instability.
The group arrived aboard Gulf Air Flight 0154 from Bahrain, where deteriorating conditions had prompted many to seek a way out. Among those on the flight was Almira Pagtama, who described the decision to leave as one driven by fear rather than choice.
“Hindi po namin ini-expect na mangyayari ito. Mas pipiliin ko pong umuwi na safe ako, kaysa mag-stay ako sa [Bahrain] na alam kong delikado ang buhay ko. Ang pera kayang kitain, pero ang buhay isa lang po iyan,” she said, expressing relief at the government’s swift response.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs under standing orders from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the safety of Filipinos caught in the Middle East crisis.
Upon arrival, the returnees were received by a multi-agency team that provided financial and medical assistance, temporary shelter, and transportation back to their home provinces. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health were among the agencies present at the airport.
DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay said reintegration support will extend beyond the immediate relief provided at the airport. “Tuloy-tuloy po tayo sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan na apektado ng krisis sa Middle East. Bukod dito, nakaantabay din ang whole-of-government team sa pangunguna ng DMW sa pagtulong sa kanilang produktibong reintegration,” she said.
Bay urged the returning workers to attend the National Reintegration Network and Job Fair scheduled for Monday, April 6, in Quezon City.
