MANILA – A total of 94 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and three dependents arrived in the country on Tuesday, through the government’s sustained repatriation efforts.
The arrival of 45 OFWs and one dependent from Israel on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City was announced.
The repatriated Filipino workers have availed themselves of the government’s voluntary repatriation program.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a total of 49 OFWs and two dependents from Jeddah and Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) arrived in Manila in two batches.
Seventeen OFWs from Al Khobar flew in via Qatar Airways Flight QR932, while 32 OFWs and two dependents from Jeddah arrived on board Saudia Airlines Flight SV870.
The repatriates had been staying at shelters in KSA, after experiencing employment-related difficulties, and sought government help to return home.
The repatriates all received immediate financial assistance and all the necessary support, including temporary accommodation and transportation services back to their respective provinces.
The OFWs also received medical check-up and were referred to concerned government agencies for assistance for their productive and sustainable reintegration.
Earlier, on Monday evening, 39 Filipino trafficking victims from Nigeria were flown home aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR932.
The group had been among those arrested during a large-scale raid by Nigerian authorities in December 2024 targeting cryptocurrency and love scam operations.
Pasay City
Pasay City is a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines, historically known as a fishing village before its official founding in 1863. It is now a major economic and entertainment hub, home to the cultural landmark of the Coconut Palace and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s primary gateway.
Jeddah
Jeddah is a major port city on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, historically serving as the gateway for pilgrims traveling to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Its historic core, Al-Balad, is a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its distinctive coral stone architecture and merchant houses dating back centuries.
Al Khobar
Al Khobar is a major port city on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast, which grew from a small fishing village in the early 20th century into a vital commercial and economic hub. Its modern development was heavily driven by the discovery of oil in the region, making it a key center for the Saudi petroleum industry. Today, it is a modern metropolis known for its corniche, shopping malls, and proximity to the King Fahd Causeway connecting Saudi Arabia to Bahrain.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a modern nation founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud, unifying the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. It is the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, making it the spiritual center of the Muslim world. The country’s modern history and economy have been defined by the discovery of vast petroleum reserves in the 1930s.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the primary international gateway serving Manila and the Philippines. It was originally named Manila International Airport but was renamed in 1987 in honor of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a senator whose assassination on its tarmac in 1983 was a pivotal event that galvanized opposition to the Marcos regime. Today, it is one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia.
Israel
Israel is a historic crossroads of civilizations and the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity, with a recorded history stretching back over three millennia. It is home to sacred sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The modern State of Israel was established in 1948.
Manila
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines, founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1571 on the site of a pre-existing Muslim settlement. It served as the center of Spanish colonial power in Asia for over three centuries and is now a major economic and cultural hub, known for its historic Intramuros walled city and its vibrant, densely populated metropolitan area.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a West African nation and the continent’s most populous country, formed in 1914 through the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern British protectorates. It is a culturally rich and diverse nation, home to over 250 ethnic groups, including the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa-Fulani, and is renowned globally for its influential contributions to music, literature, and film (Nollywood).
