OWWA: Over 1,000 OFWs Now Want to Return Home

More than a thousand overseas Filipino workers are now hoping for one thing — to come home safely.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) revealed on Wednesday that over 1,000 OFWs have already expressed their desire to be repatriated to the Philippines.

Behind every number is a story of worry, uncertainty, and the longing to return to family.

As of 12 noon, OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan confirmed that 1,189 OFWs have signified their intention to return home.

“The total repatriation requests received from OFWs is 1,189,” Caunan said during a press briefing.

Where the requests are coming from

The requests for repatriation are coming from several countries in the Middle East.

According to OWWA, the breakdown of OFWs seeking to return home includes:

Bahrain — 278
Abu Dhabi — 246
Dubai — 231
Qatar — 173
Kuwait — 62
Israel — 46
Lebanon — 5

These numbers continue to reflect the growing concern among Filipino workers abroad as the situation in the region remains tense.

Over the weekend, tensions escalated after joint military operations by the United States and Israel targeted Iran, raising fears of wider conflict.

For many OFWs living and working nearby, the uncertainty has been deeply unsettling.

No mass repatriation yet

Despite the rising number of requests, the government clarified that there is no mass repatriation yet.

Still, preparations are already underway.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to activate evacuation plans if necessary.

“We will be guided by the alert levels determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Cacdac said.

“Our priority is to ensure that Filipinos can be brought home safely.”

However, bringing them home right now is not simple.

Air travel out of some affected areas is currently not possible, forcing authorities to explore other options.

“Safety remains the ultimate concern, and air transport out of the affected countries in the Gulf and Israel is not possible at the moment,” Cacdac explained.

Because of this, the government is preparing alternative evacuation routes, including land travel, if conditions worsen.

Cacdac also urged Filipinos abroad to follow the rules and safety protocols of their host governments while authorities continue to assess the situation.

Life continues in the UAE

Despite the tension across the region, the situation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains relatively stable.

According to Cacdac, many OFWs there are still able to continue their work and daily routines.

“Life goes on,” he said.

In Abu Dhabi, workers are still reporting to their jobs.

In Dubai, some companies have shifted to work-from-home arrangements, but employment continues.

“Work goes on. The disruption has not been that bad,” Cacdac explained.

For many OFWs, staying employed is one reason they are choosing to remain where they are — at least for now.

He also noted that host governments are implementing safety measures to protect residents.

“They hear the bombings, they hear the attacks,” Cacdac said.

“But they also know their government is there to protect them.”

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver echoed this, saying the country remains relatively calm and its defense systems against drone attacks are largely effective.

Repatriation requests still under evaluation

In Dubai alone, authorities already have an initial list of about 200 Filipinos who have signified their intention to return to the Philippines.

This is out of roughly 500,000 OFWs currently living in Dubai.

But repatriation is not automatic.

Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista explained that each request must still undergo evaluation.

Those who wish to return must not have ongoing legal cases or travel bans and must have valid passports.

“Those who can be repatriated are subject to evaluation,” Bautista said.

He also clarified that government-funded repatriation is not guaranteed for everyone.

OFWs seeking assistance are encouraged to contact official hotlines so authorities can properly assess their situation.

Government assistance continues

While the situation develops, the government has already begun helping Filipinos affected by the crisis.

According to the DMW, 1,824 OFWs in affected areas have already received assistance.

This includes:

Food and hygiene kits
Financial aid
Temporary shelter and accommodation
Welfare checks
Evacuation support
Hospital visits

Authorities have also extended assistance to 236 Filipinos stranded in international transit hubs, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.

A call for peace

Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confirmed that more than 1,000 Filipinos had requested repatriation amid the growing conflict.

However, officials later clarified that the number includes both OFWs and Filipino tourists in the region.

The President has also urged all parties involved in the tensions to exercise restraint and expressed hope for a swift ceasefire.

For now, thousands of Filipino workers abroad continue to watch the situation closely — balancing their jobs, their safety, and their deep longing to return home if the conflict worsens.