Volunteer networks and government agencies joined forces at Abu Dhabi International Airport this week as the Philippines continued airlifting its citizens out of the Middle East, where the US-Israeli conflict with Iran has kept regional tensions elevated.
The latest flight, TVR 7737, carried 344 Filipinos from the UAE and touched down at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Friday afternoon, pushing the total number of repatriates to 4,241 since the government’s evacuation effort began, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan outlined the scope of support available once workers land: “Nagbibigay kami ng repatriation flights pabalik ng Maynila, post-repatriation services, domestic flights sa probinsya, land transportation assistance, hotel accommodation, meals, may financial assistance tayong binibigay.”
She added that assistance does not stop at Manila. “Pagdating sa mga regions, para sa mga OWWA members, mayroon tayong livelihood assistance, start-up capital, mayroon tayong training assistance… Patuloy na tutulong ang pamahalaan.”
The scale of the operation reflects just how large the Filipino presence in the region remains. DFA figures compiled by GMA News Research put the number of Filipinos in the Middle East at over 2.4 million as of March 1, 2026, with the UAE accounting for approximately 975,000 and Saudi Arabia for around 813,000. Many have chosen to remain at their posts despite the conflict, prioritizing remittances to families back home.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac noted that close to 1,000 Filipinos received repatriation assistance during the Holy Week period alone, with additional flights expected in the days ahead. “Patuloy lang natin isasagawa ito as long as may mga Pilipinong nagnanais umuwi, lalo na mga OFWs sa ating Mahal na Bayan,” he said in an interview with Radio Television Malacañang.
