The first batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were stranded at Riyadh airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) after operations were disrupted by attacks from Houthi forces earlier this month has finally returned home, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
In a statement issued last Monday, OWWA said 34 OFWs from the Riyadh airport arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 via Qatar Airways flight QR934 from Doha, Qatar.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced during the weekend they are part of the 299 affected OFWs, who are scheduled to be repatriated from October 19 to 25.
‘Before their departure, the OWWA Riyadh team personally assisted them by providing a pre-flight orientation, transportation, meals, temporary accommodation, and guidance through the necessary processes,’ OWWA said.
Upon their arrival, the OWWA Repatriation and Assistance Division (RAD) provided the returnees with airport assistance, transportation, temporary accommodation, and domestic flight assistance for those returning to their respective provinces.
The second batch of 50 OFWs, left KSA last Monday and is set to arrive in the coming days.
DMW and other government agencies are also currently processing the repatriation of another 100 stranded OFWs from Hail, Al Qassim, and Dammam.
Following the deadliest attack by Houthi militants at the King Khalid International Airport, the operation of the said facility was suspended.
The incident killed 13 people, and injured more than 300 people, including four Filipinos: two airport workers, and two passengers.