More than 100 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were stranded overnight at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 after airspace closures in parts of the Middle East disrupted scheduled flights.
AccordIng to a report by RH Jecelle Ricafort, most of the affected passengers were bound for Dubai, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia but were unable to depart as airspace in their destinations remained closed due to escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The stranded workers included several who had traveled from distant provinces. Many opted to avail themselves of temporary accommodation offered by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Stranded OFWs said they chose to monitor the situation from hotels while hoping that hostilities in the Middle East would subside soon, allowing flights to resume.
Despite prior announcements of flight cancellations, some workers still proceeded to the airport to personally verify the status of their trips.
Among them was Benjie Dalisay, an eight-year OFW veteran working as an airport load operator in Jeddah and a native of Batangas. Fighting back tears during an interview, Dalisay said he was uncertain when he would be able to return to work.
“Nagmesage na ako sa aming company na ‘we need to rebook my ticket’ mag-aantay na lang kung kailan dahil ang alam nila hanggang March 5 ang kanselado. Babalik na lang kami ng Batangas,” he said.
“Ako kailangan ko bumalik, isasakripisyo ko. Sana lang makabalik ako dahil kailangan na kailangan ko ang trabaho para sa pag-aaral ng mga anak ko,” he added.
The DMW and OWWA assured affected workers that the government stands ready to assist Filipinos in the region should the situation worsen. However, authorities said there is currently no need for mass repatriation.
Initial estimates show that around 100 Filipinos in Dubai and 52 in Israel have expressed a desire to return to the Philippines. Repatriation efforts, however, cannot proceed while airspace remains closed and airport operations across much of the Middle East are suspended.
Government agencies said they continue to closely monitor developments and coordinate with Philippine posts abroad to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipino workers in the region.
