This Thursday, 21 brave Filipino workers (called OFWs) who were working in Israel will finally land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and come back home to the Philippines.
They’re coming home because of trouble and danger in the Middle East, where fighting has caused fear and worry, especially for Filipinos working there.
👩💼 Patricia Yvonne Caunan, the head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), said the government is doing everything to help OFWs who want to return home safely.
“Tomorrow, 21 OFWs will arrive. On Saturday, 15 more are coming. And we expect 28 more soon,” she said in a press briefing.
💬 Many Want to Go Home, But Only a Few Have
Even though 373 OFWs have told OWWA they want to return to the Philippines, only 26 have actually decided to come home so far.
“We keep calling them and checking in. We’re the ones reaching out to help,” Caunan said.
Many OFWs are still unsure, maybe because they don’t want to leave their jobs or they’re still hoping the situation will get better.
🛑 Even with Ceasefire, The Watch Isn’t Over
There’s a ceasefire in Israel now, and the alert level has gone down. But the Philippine government is still watching closely, not just in Israel, but in other countries like:
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Qatar
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Saudi Arabia
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UAE
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Kuwait
That’s because over 30,000 Filipinos are living and working in Israel alone.
❤️ OFWs Getting All the Help They Need
The returning OFWs aren’t coming home alone — the government is helping them every step of the way.
Here are some of the amazing things they’re doing:
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🩺 Medical help
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💰 Financial assistance
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🏨 Free accommodations
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🧠 Psychosocial counseling (to help them feel better emotionally)
Some OFWs came back with serious problems. One was pregnant, and the government promised to pay for her entire delivery at the hospital. Another was diagnosed with cancer, and she will receive free treatment from the government.
🌟 New Beginnings for Returnees
Many of the OFWs are excited to start fresh! Some want to start their own businesses, while others are looking for new jobs.
And here’s the good news:
📱 There are 8 million online jobs available — and the government is offering free training to help them qualify!
OWWA is working closely with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to make sure every OFW has a real chance to rebuild their future.
💬 From danger and heartbreak to hope and new beginnings, these OFWs are ready to face what’s next — and the Philippines is ready to welcome them with open arms.
