MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has confirmed the successful repatriation of 6,706 Filipino nationals from various posts in the Middle East as of Friday, April 17, 2026.
The mass return is a response to escalating regional tensions involving Israel, Iran, and surrounding territories, which have placed thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in the crossfire of recent military exchanges.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported that the total number of returnees is expected to reach nearly 6,900 by the end of the weekend as flights continue to arrive from high-risk areas.
- The Returnees: The figure includes 5,023 OFWs, 1,343 dependents, and 340 tourists or other overseas Filipinos.
- Key Departure Hubs: Dubai recorded the highest number of repatriates at 2,048, followed by Kuwait (1,153), Abu Dhabi (1,023), and Qatar (700). Other arrivals came from Bahrain, Riyadh, Israel, and Lebanon.
- Funding the Rescue: The government shouldered the vast majority of travel costs, with the DMW funding 64% of the flights and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) covering the remaining 36%.
Beyond the flight home, the government has activated a multi-layered assistance program to help repatriates transition back to life in the Philippines:
- Financial Aid: Affected OFWs are eligible for a $200 (approx. ₱11,990) financial assistance grant to mitigate income loss. The DMW has streamlined the application process, allowing for “self-declarations” to speed up the release of funds.
- On-the-Ground Services: As of mid-April, the DMW has delivered over 30,000 individual services, including food assistance (17,287 units), medical services (2,305), and emergency shelter (2,124).
- The “Kalinga” Framework: This new pilot program provides post-repatriation support, including psychosocial counseling, medical follow-ups, and skills profiling to match workers with local job opportunities or upskilling scholarships.
The DMW is also closely tracking Filipino seafarers who remain at sea in high-risk zones:
- Persian Gulf: Over 4,800 seafarers on 462 vessels have been identified as being in the high-risk area, with nearly 500 already brought back to Manila.
- Gulf of Oman: Approximately 819 seafarers on 71 vessels are being monitored, with 20 repatriated so far.
As the geopolitical situation in the Middle East remains fluid, Secretary Cacdac assured the public that the government’s “open-door” repatriation policy remains in effect. “We will continue our assistance efforts as more Filipinos are expected to return in the coming weeks,” he stated. For many returning home, the relief of safety is paired with the challenge of reintegration—a process the National Reintegration Network is now working to manage on a massive scale.