The first group of 34 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by flight disruptions in Saudi Arabia is expected to arrive in Manila on Monday, October 19, as Philippine authorities work to bring hundreds of stranded Filipinos home amid heightened security concerns in the Middle East.
According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the returning workers are part of a larger government-assisted repatriation operation involving 349 Filipinos based in Riyadh. Of that number, 249 already have confirmed flight reservations, while travel arrangements for the remaining 100 workers are still being finalized.
The operation comes after a series of reported drone and missile attacks targeting facilities in Saudi Arabia, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The incidents disrupted commercial aviation, resulting in flight cancellations and delays that complicated travel plans for Filipinos seeking to return to the Philippines.
To overcome the disruptions, OWWA Riyadh, the Migrant Workers Office, and the Philippine Embassy coordinated alternative travel arrangements through airports outside the Saudi capital. The first 34 workers were transported by land from Riyadh to Al Qassim Airport, where they were scheduled to board Qatar Airways flight QR 1197 to Doha before transferring to flight QR 934 bound for Manila.
The group is expected to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Monday morning, where government personnel will assist with their arrival. OWWA said its Repatriation and Assistance Division is preparing airport assistance, temporary accommodation for those who need it, and onward transportation for workers returning to their home provinces.
The repatriation reflects the logistical challenges facing Filipino migrant workers during regional security emergencies. Flight suspensions can leave overseas workers stranded far from home, while alternative routes often require coordination across airlines, airports, diplomatic offices, and ground transportation providers.
For the affected families, the planned return offers welcome relief after days of uncertainty. However, the mission remains unfinished, with more than 300 other workers included in the repatriation operation and some still awaiting confirmed arrangements.
As the first arrivals prepare to reunite with their families, Philippine officials continue coordinating travel assistance for the remaining workers. The immediate priority is ensuring that every affected Filipino can return through a safe and organized route, despite continuing disruptions to regional air travel.
Image from OWWA