MANILA, Philippines — In an unprecedented logistical feat, the Philippine government is organizing its first-ever chartered flight to repatriate Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from four different Middle East countries in a single mission. The operation is part of an intensified “whole-of-government” effort to ensure the safety of Filipinos amid escalating regional tensions.
The flight is scheduled to depart from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, March 23, 2026, carrying repatriates from:
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Central Hub: Riyadh serves as the consolidation point. OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan and a rapid response team are currently on-site to oversee the arrival of OFWs from the other three nations.
- Current Progress: As of Saturday, 179 OFWs (99 from Kuwait and 80 from Bahrain) have already reached Riyadh. Teams from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Philippine embassies are currently coordinating the transfer of additional workers from Qatar.
- Support Services: The government is providing comprehensive assistance, including handling travel documents, exit visas, temporary accommodation, and domestic transportation upon arrival in Manila.
Since March 5, the Philippine government has successfully brought home over 2,000 Filipinos and their dependents through various chartered and assisted flights:
- March 14: 442 Filipinos repatriated from Fujairah.
- March 15: 342 Filipinos repatriated from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
- March 18: 317 Filipinos (including 114 dependents and 50 stranded travelers) arrived from Dubai.
- March 23 (Planned): The 4-country consolidated charter flight from Riyadh.
This mission marks the fourth government-chartered repatriation effort in the region this month and the second specifically organized by the national government to address the immediate needs of Filipinos in conflict-affected or high-tension areas.