THIRTY-FOUR overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Saudi Arabia are expected to arrive in the Philippines on Monday, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said on Sunday, following flight cancellations due to drone and missile attacks on Riyadh’s international airport.
OWWA coordinated with the Department of Migrant Workers to repatriate 34 OFWs after deadly Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport throughout Oct. 11 and 12. They are among 249 OFWs with confirmed flight bookings for the Philippines, OWWA said in a statement.
The workers traveled to Buraidah, Saudi Arabia on Oct. 17, where the administration said they boarded Qatar Airways flight QR 1197 at the Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport bound for Doha, Qatar.
From Doha, the OFWs transferred to Qatar Airways flight QR 934, which was set to arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Oct. 19, at exactly 8:15 a.m.
Upon arrival in Manila, OWWA’s Repatriation and Assistance Division will provide the workers with airport assistance, transportation, temporary accommodation if necessary, and domestic airline tickets for those returning to their respective provinces.
The administration said repatriation arrangements are still being made for an additional 100 OFWs. — Francessca S. Abalos