MANILA, Philippines – The second batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from the Middle East amid the ongoing war is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Sunday, March 15, Malacañang said Saturday.
Acting Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said Philippine Airlines flight PR8502 from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is expected to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6:35 a.m.
It will be the second one to be chartered by the Philippine government since the Middle East conflict broke out on Feb. 28, 2026.
"Authorities and support teams will be on standby at the airport to assist the arriving passengers. The repatriates will also be provided with assistance to facilitate their return to their respective home provinces," Gomez said in a statement.
The first flight carrying repatriated Filipinos from Dubai arrived on March 5.
At a press briefing at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Saturday, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head Patricia Yvonne Caunan said on top of those stranded due to flight disruptions, majority of the OFWs on board were tagged as "distressed."
A total of 16 crossed Saudi Arabia from Bahrain.
“Authorities and support teams will be on standby at the airport to assist the arriving passengers,” the PCO said.
“The repatriates will also be provided with assistance to facilitate their return to their respective home provinces.”
The repatriation of the displaced Filipinos from the Middle East is part of the Philippine government’s continuing efforts to assist those affected by heightened tensions in the region.
More flights
The Sunday arrival of the 340 will bring the total number of OFWs assisted by the government to over 1,000.
Cuanan said commercial and chartered flights for next week were being organized for 400 more OFWs awaiting repatriation.
“They are being prepared for the flight home, meaning those who need visa and those who need to cross to pick up points,” she said.
“Ito talaga ‘yung (This really is the) core government repatriation. From addressing their welfare needs up to purchasing their tickets, renting the bus from point A to the airport, then bringing them home.”
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said pre- and post-repatriation assistance would be provided to all returning Filipinos, including psychosocial services and government-funded airfare to their provinces.
The first Philippine government chartered flight carrying 442 Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates, including OFWs and stranded tourists, arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Saturday afternoon.
