344 OFWs repatriated from Saudi Arabia —DMW

A total of 344 "distressed" Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have been repatriated from Saudi Arabia, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Sunday.

In a statement, DMW Secretary Susan Ople said the repatriated OFWs arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) this afternoon on board PR8657.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) facilitated the repatriation and arranged for the returning Filipinos' domestic flights.

“The DMW, through OWWA, will be extending the needed assistance to all our repatriated kababayan, including medical help and transportation,” Ople said.

The DMW chief said among the repatriated workers are four OFWs with medical conditions and five suffering from mental illness.

“These OFWs have been provided with medical assistance. The OWWA is also helping one OFW from Iloilo who came home to attend to a tragedy within the family,” she added.

Ople said other OFWs for quarantine will be accommodated at a hotel in Quezon City and will be tested for COVID-19.

Once cleared, Ople said, the OFWs will be provided transportation assistance by OWWA so they can be reunited with their families. — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News