The Philippines has repatriated 6,706 nationals from several Middle Eastern posts as of April 17, as regional tensions continue to disrupt jobs and travel, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the total includes 5,023 overseas Filipino workers, 1,343 dependents, and 340 tourists and other Filipinos.
“That includes today’s arrivals… we will go up to around 6,900 by tomorrow,” Cacdac said.
The largest number of returnees came from Dubai, followed by Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, with additional arrivals from Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Lebanon, and Oman.
The repatriation comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which disrupted regional air and sea routes.
The government has shouldered most of the airfare costs, with the Department of Migrant Workers covering 64 percent of repatriates and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration funding the rest.
Authorities said more than 30,000 services have already been provided to returning Filipinos, including food, financial aid, transportation, shelter, and medical assistance.
The government is also offering $200 in financial assistance to workers affected by job disruptions, with simplified requirements to speed up access.
Reintegration efforts are being expanded through training, job matching, and alternative overseas deployment, including opportunities outside the Middle East.
Officials said support continues for affected seafarers, with thousands monitored in high-risk waters and hundreds already repatriated.
