March 14, 2026, Dubai – The Philippine government is repatriating 469 Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in response to ongoing security tensions in the Middle East. To ensure their safe return, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) arranged a special chartered flight. The aircraft is scheduled to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal III on Saturday.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, alongside officials from the Migrant Workers Office in Dubai, joined the flight to assist the passengers during their journey.
Passenger Breakdown
The government extended this repatriation effort to various Filipinos in the UAE who sought help to return home safely. The passenger list includes a mix of workers, visitors, and their families:
- 214 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs): Contract workers seeking to leave the region due to the current crisis.
- 195 Stranded Tourists: Filipinos who traveled to the UAE on temporary visas and faced difficulties returning on commercial flights.
- 60 Dependents: Children and family members accompanying the workers and tourists.
This chartered flight ensures that these individuals can avoid the regional instability and safely reunite with their loved ones in the Philippines.
Coordinated Government Response
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a direct mandate to prioritize the safety of Filipinos in the Middle East. Following this directive, the DMW took the lead in organizing the special flight. The operation required extensive coordination across multiple government branches to secure the necessary flight permits and manage ground logistics.
The successful repatriation highlights a whole-of-government approach to protecting citizens overseas. The effort involved close collaboration among several key entities:
- Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
- Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi
- Philippine Consulate General in Dubai
Additionally, the Filipino community in the UAE played a vital role in sharing information and helping stranded citizens connect with the proper diplomatic authorities. The Philippine government continues to monitor the security situation in the Middle East to provide timely assistance to other Filipinos who may need to leave the region.