THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have safely repatriated 18 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were affected by the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gave clear directives to help our Kababayans, our OFWs, who are affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. We stand continually ready to assist and support our OFWs who wish to go home for safety and security,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said.
The Secretary, along with OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan assured the repatriated OFWs of full government assistance and support upon their arrival at the NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City, today, June 16, 2025.
The OFWs are bound for Tel Aviv, Israel and Amman, Jordan but were stranded in Dubai due to the temporary shutdown of major airports amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
The DMW through its Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai provided airport assistance and food to the affected OFWs prior to boarding Philippine Airline Flight PR 659 in Dubai last night, June 15, 2025.
The repatriated OFWs received immediate financial support through the DMW AKSYON Fund, airport assistance and other necessary support from the DMW and OWWA, along with whole-of-government team as directed by the President.
The DMW, through its National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), will also assist the OFWs for their upskilling and sustainable reintegration, including livelihood assistance or skills training enhancement for redeployment options.
The Secretary said the DMW, in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through the Philippine Embassies in the Middle East, is rigorously monitoring the situation in the region to ensure the safety and security of OFWs.
The DMW and OWWA have also set up its 24/7 Middle East Help Desk for OFWs and families of OFWs who are affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
For OFWs and OFW families who needed immediate assistance and support may call the DMW-OWWA 1348 hotline. For those abroad, they may dial +632 1348.
Specific emergency contact numbers of DMW Migrant Workers’ Offices (MWOs) in Israel, Lebanon and Jordan are as follows:
ISRAEL
Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv: +972 54-4661188
MWO: +972 50-7622590
OWO: +972 50-7156937
LEBANON
Philippine Embassy in Beirut: +961 70 858 086
MWO in Beirut: +961 79 110 729
JORDAN
Philippine Embassy in Amman: +962 7 7907 7775 ;
+962 7 7721 9000
MWO in Amman: +962 7 8149 1183 ; +962 7 8519 1891
OFWs who are affected by flight cancellations, delays, and rerouting across the region may seek support from the 1348 Hotline or the above-stated MWO numbers.
The Department urges all OFWs in Israel and Iran to remain indoors and stay alert, and stay connected with the Philippine Embassy or MWOs in their respective host countries.
OFWs are also advised to refrain from spreading or sharing unverified information which may cause unnecessary panic and confusion.
In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of National Defense (DND), the DMW continues to closely monitor the situation.
