AMID ongoing tension in the Middle East, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Central Visayas (OWWA 7) has released updated figures on the number of documented and OWWA-registered overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Region 7 deployed in five Middle Eastern countries.
According to data shared via Messenger with media on Thursday, June 26, 2025, a total of 18,919 OFWs from Central Visayas (CV) are currently working in Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
Of the 22 OFWs working in Iran from CV, 13 are from Cebu, six from Bohol, two from Siquijor and one from Negros Oriental.
In Israel, the OWWA has recorded 392 OFWs coming from CV: Cebu (194), Bohol (125), Negros Oriental (71) and two from Siquijor.
In Jordan, a total of 1,023 OFWs are from CV: Cebu (523), Bohol (306), Negros Oriental (175), and Siquijor (19).
Meanwhile, there are 16,849 OFWs from CV working in Kuwait: Cebu (9,752), Bohol (3,592), Negros Oriental (3,231), and Siquijor (274); and in Lebanon, out of 633 OFWs from CV, 416 are from Cebu, 112 from Bohol, 89 from Negros Oriental, and 16 from Siquijor.
In total, Cebu Province has the highest number of OFWs deployed across the five countries, with 10,898 individuals, followed by Bohol (4,141), Negros Oriental (3,567), and Siquijor (313).
OWWA 7 said these figures only cover documented and OWWA-registered OFWs, and do not account for undocumented Filipinos who may also be residing or working in these areas.
As of now, no OFWs from Region 7 have been repatriated due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, OWWA-7 said.
However, the agency said it has received two repatriation requests from OFWs currently living in Iran.
The Philippine Embassy in Tehran is now coordinating with the two individuals to facilitate their safe return to the country and provide necessary assistance.
The agency shared these updates during its latest public service program, “Serbisyong OWWA Syete,” which aired on June 26, 2025, via the Facebook pages of SunStar Cebu and OWWA 7 Central Visayas.
The OWWA 7 assured the public that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and is ready to extend welfare and repatriation support to affected OFWs from Central Visayas if needed. /CDF