THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office in Central Visayas (OWWA-7) recently assisted four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Central Visayas.
They were repatriated from Iran due to the Israel-Iran conflict.
A "whole-of-government approach" involving the Philippine Embassy in Iran, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and OWWA ensured their safe return.
On June 29, 2025, a Cebu-based shrimp hatchery technician arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. His daughter welcomed him, and he received transportation assistance to Talamban, Cebu City.
Later that day, a filing clerk based in the United Arab Emirates, who had accompanied her employer to Iran, arrived on a separate flight. OWWA 7 facilitated her journey back to Talisay City, Cebu, where her family met her.
The next day, two more hatchery technicians from Iran landed at Sibulan Airport in Dumaguete City. The OWWA 7 Negros Oriental and Siquijor Satellite Offices coordinated their repatriation. They also facilitated their transportation to their hometowns in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Before arriving in Cebu and Dumaguete, the four OFWs landed in Manila on June 28, 2025. They received a combined total of P680,000 in financial and reintegration assistance. Each OFW received P75,000 from OWWA, another P75,000 from the DMW, and P20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
This demonstrates the government's commitment to protecting and aiding OFWs during crises.
The repatriated OFWs expressed their gratitude to OWWA, DMW, DSWD, and the Philippine government. They thanked them for ensuring their safe return and providing financial aid to help them rebuild their lives. Their homecoming highlights the government's approach to upholding the welfare and security of Filipino workers worldwide. (PR)