Metro Manila, Philippines – Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said a chartered flight carrying more than 300 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is expected to arrive in the country within the week.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, March 18, Olalia said the flight will come from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of \repatriation efforts as the Middle East conflict progresses.
At least 657 OFWs have expressed their intent to go home as of March 17, said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Patricia Yvonne Cuanan.
An update from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) stated that 125 workers across five commercial flights arrived on Tuesday, March 17.
More funding
Olalia said the agency may need more funding if the Middle East conflict persists.
He added that the agency had requested the Department of Budget and Management about the budget allocation, which was granted as confirmed by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in a previous press briefing on Tuesday.
“On the way up here, I got the good news that we will receive a fresh allocation of funds from the DBM,” said Cacdac.
Olalia also cited pending bills requesting immediate support for its “AKSYON Fund,” with a budget of ₱2 billion.
