Over 100 return from Israel, UAE

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported a total of 122 repatriates from Israel and Abu Dhabi late on Saturday.

In separate press releases, the DMW said 22 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) consisting of 18 caregivers and 4 hotel employees have returned to the Philippines from Israel on Saturday.

The 22 Filipinos have been assisted through land-crossing from Israel to Egypt before boarding a commercial flight to the Philippines.

One hundred more were repatriated aboard the Emirates Flight EK334 from Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening, OWWA said.

The DMW expects to open the week with its repatriation total climbing to 7,000 since the program began on March 5, a week after the war between the US-Israel and Iran erupted on Feb. 28.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac on Friday said the government has repatriated a total of 6,706 Filipinos. Most were from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accounting for 2,048 arrivals.

The DMW has so far shouldered 64% of the repatriation or 4,308 of the running total, while OWWA funded 36% of the airfare of 2,398 Filipinos.

Mr. Cacdac said the Department of Budget and Management has replenished their repatriation funds by P800 million which would be allocated to OFWs on the ground and those who have chosen to return to the Philippines.

Aside from the repatriation assistance, the DMW also provides financial assistance of $200 for work-distressed Filipinos according to Mr. Cacdac. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel