Eighty Filipinos from Dubai returned to their home country without incident in the early morning hours of May 1, announced the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Of this count, 63 are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and 17 are their relatives. They decided to avail of the government’s repatriation program amid the conflict in the Middle East.

The repatriates were welcomed by representatives from the DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), and the New Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Infrastructure Corp.

Financial and medical assistance, food, temporary lodging, and transportation for the repatriates’ travels to their hometowns were provided by the agencies.

Aside from this, the government is currently implementing post-repatriation programs such as job placements, skills training, and livelihood assistance to aid those who have left their jobs abroad—whether they choose to work in the country or elsewhere.

The day before, 129 OFWs and their relatives also arrived in the Philippines safely. Ninety-three of the repatriates for this batch were OFWs and 36 were dependents. They touched down at past 9:00 p.m.