Marcos: Two chartered flights set for OFW repatriation from Middle EastAt a Palace briefing, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said up to 100 Filipinos in Dubai, United Arab Emirates have so far expressed their intention to return home. MANILA, Philippines — The government is arranging two chartered flights for affected overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East who wish to return home, with some expected to arrive in the Philippines by the end of the week, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Tuesday (New York time). Despite ongoing tensions among the United States, Israel and Iran, Marcos said that the easing of airspace restrictions in parts of the Middle East has allowed three Emirates-operated commercial flights to carry OFWs from Dubai directly to Manila. One chartered flight will originate from Riyadh to bring home Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain, while a second flight from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates will repatriate OFWs from Dubai. Marcos said the second chartered flight is scheduled to depart on March 13 and is expected to arrive in Manila either by the evening of the same day or the morning of March 14.

Source: Philippine Star March 11, 2026 13:05 UTC