The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has provided temporary accommodation, financial assistance, and other welfare services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by flight disruptions in Saudi Arabia.
During a press briefing on Monday, October 12, DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the agency’s posts in Saudi Arabia were prepared to assist affected Filipino workers through the DMW-OWWA AKSYON Fund and Emergency Repatriation Fund.
“Our posts stand ready to provide the necessary assistance to our OFWs in Saudi,” Cacdac said.
In Jeddah, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) assisted 87 OFWs whose flight to Riyadh was diverted, providing temporary hotel accommodation and financial assistance while arranging their onward travel by land.
Another seven OFWs stranded at King Abdulaziz International Airport after a delayed flight from Riyadh caused them to miss their connecting flight to Manila were provided with food, temporary accommodation, and assistance in arranging replacement flights.
Meanwhile, 37 OFWs affected by flight cancellations sought assistance at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3. Their requests included temporary accommodation and transportation to Metro Manila and other provinces, with three workers receiving hotel accommodations.
In Riyadh, 30 Filipinos were reported stranded. Of these, two seafarers stayed at an airline-sponsored hotel, 20 were accommodated in DMW- or OWWA-sponsored hotels, and seven stayed with relatives.
The DMW said it is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine diplomatic posts, Saudi authorities, and other concerned agencies to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected OFWs and their dependents.
Cacdac also advised Filipino travelers to verify their flight schedules before proceeding to the airport amid continuing cancellations and delays.
“Before you go to the airport, you need to check your flight details, your flight status,” he said.
