MANILA (UPDATED)— A seventh flight from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates carrying 37 overseas Filipino workers is expected to arrive in the Philippines Sunday night, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Sunday, March 8.
Cacdac told ABS-CBN News that the flight, funded by the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, is part of the government’s ongoing repatriation efforts amid the war in the Middle East, which is also called West Asia.
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So far, six Emirates flights have brought home about 309 OFWs and 11 dependents, making up for previously cancelled trips beginning February 28.
Cacdac said yhe government is prioritizing repatriation from the UAE while preparing land evacuation routes for Filipinos in Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar due to airspace restrictions in some areas.
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11 FILIPINOS EVACUATED FROM IRAN
Meanwhile, 11 overseas Filipinos (OFs) have been safely evacuated from Iran to Van, Türkiye, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced.
The evacuation was done through the coordinated efforts of the Philippine Embassies in Tehran and Ankara.
The Filipinos are set to depart Türkiye for the Philippines in the coming days.
The DFA is still assisting the estimated 800 Filipinos currently residing in Iran who may wish to return to the Philippines.
According to the DFA, Filipinos seeking assistance are advised to contact the Embassy through the contact numbers and official channels posted on its website and social media pages.