By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
Another batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from four countries will be repatriated on March 23 through a single chartered flight, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced on Saturday.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, along with the agency’s response team, flew to Riyadh to ensure the safe return of the OFWs from Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, OWWA said 88 OFWs from Bahrain and 99 from Kuwait are now in Riyadh.
“Pagdating, agad niyang (Caunan) sinalubong ang ating mga kababayan na naglakbay mula Kuwait at Bahrain sa tulong ng mga team mula sa Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), OWWA at Philippine embassies,” OWWA said.
The DMW-OWWA Rapid Response Team is assisting the OFWs from Qatar who will join the latest batch of repatriates.
Their arrival in Riyadh is part of the preparations for the fourth government-chartered flight amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
It will also be the second chartered flight organized by OWWA, scheduled to depart from Riyadh on March 23.
“Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na OFW mula sa apat na bansa ang sabay-sabay na isasakay sa iisang chartered flight bilang bahagi ng repatriation operations ng pamahalaan,” the OWWA said.
The OWWA said the response team continues to process documents and visas, arrange land and air transportation, and provide accommodation to ensure the smooth and safe repatriation of the OFWs affected by the crisis.
“Ang pangunahing layunin ng operasyong ito ay matiyak ang kaligtasan ng ating mga OFW at ma-ihatid sila nang ligtas pabalik sa kanilang mga pamilya sa Pilipinas,” it said. (PNA)
