Thirty-four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Saudi Arabia are expected to arrive in the Philippines on Monday, October 19, as the government continues efforts to repatriate Filipino workers affected by flight disruptions, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Sunday.
OWWA Administrator PY Caunan said the workers flew from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Doha, Qatar, on Saturday and are scheduled to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at 8:15 a.m. Monday.
Upon arrival, the OWWA Repatriation and Assistance Division (RAD) will provide airport assistance, transportation, temporary accommodation when necessary, and domestic airline tickets for workers who need to travel to their home provinces.
“Pagdating sa Maynila, sasalubungin sila ng OWWA Repatriation and Assistance Division (RAD) upang magbigay ng airport assistance, transportasyon, pansamantalang matutuluyan kung kinakailangan, at domestic airline tickets para sa mga uuwi pa sa kani-kanilang probinsya,” Caunan said.
She added that the workers had received temporary accommodation, meals, transportation and return tickets to the Philippines under the agency’s Alagang OWWA program.
OWWA also reported that another 249 OFWs from Saudi Arabia are scheduled to arrive in the country from October 19 to 25. Meanwhile, flight arrangements are being processed for the return of 100 more Filipino workers.
Caunan said those receiving assistance include OFWs from Bahay Kalinga, workers under the care of Saudi recruitment agencies, and Filipinos temporarily staying in hotels after their flights were canceled or delayed following an incident at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Their return flights are being arranged through airports in Al Qassim and Dammam instead of Riyadh.
Flights between Manila and Riyadh have been disrupted amid tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels based in Yemen. Philippine Airlines (PAL) said its flights to and from Riyadh were suspended until November 29, 2026, while Cebu Pacific canceled its Riyadh services until October 31, 2026.
The disruptions followed two reported Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport earlier this month, which led to the airport’s closure and flight cancellations.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said at least four Filipinos were wounded in the attack.
Amid the security concerns, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah have urged Filipinos to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect their safety.