By Lane Afable, News Editor
Several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have expressed their gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the government’s fast and cost-free repatriation program, which ensured their safe return to the Philippines amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Nathalie Paule and Marjorie Dy, who both worked at a salon in Kuwait for nearly a year and among the fourth batch of repatriates from the Middle East, shared that they no longer felt safe due to the ongoing unrest in the Gulf region.
“Mahal na Pangulong Marcos, maraming-maraming salamat po kasi tinulungan niyo kaming makabalik ng Pilipinas. Galing po kami sa bansang Kuwait kasi sa Kuwait po talaga walang tigil na po ‘yung putukan. Hindi na po talaga ligtas doon,” Paule said.
Paule recalled the challenges they faced traveling from Kuwait to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they were eventually flown home through a government-facilitated chartered flight.
“Hindi po madali ‘yung pinagdaanan namin pauwi pero dahil po sa inyo, sa tulong ng OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), DMW (Department of Migrant Workers), DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), at ng Embassy, nakarating po kami nang matiwasay at mapayapa pabalik sa bansang Pilipinas,” she said.
In an earlier interview, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the OFWs had to travel for seven to eight hours to reach Riyadh, as airspace restrictions remained in place in some Gulf nations.
Paule commended the government for the well-organized and efficient repatriation program, noting the “hands-on” assistance provided to OFWs throughout the process.
“Napakahands-on po nila sa amin. Lahat po ng tumulong, very satisfied po kami,” Paule said, adding that all assistance was provided free of charge.
Dy likewise expressed her appreciation to the government for helping her return home safely.
“Napakablessed po namin at nakauwi kami nang maayos. Pinakain kami nang maayos. Napakabait po ng mga tumulong sa amin sa Kuwait. Napakaganda at smooth po talaga ng repatriation,” Dy said.
Meanwhile, Angelique Espiritu, 32, who is seven months pregnant and stranded in Bahrain due to airport closures, also praised President Marcos and his administration for their swift response.
“Maraming salamat po kay Mr. President kasi binigyan niya kami ng tulong para makauwi po kami agad—mabilis po talaga,” said Espiritu, who hails from Ilocos Sur.
“Wala po kaming nilabas na kahit piso. Sagot po talaga ng gobyerno ang lahat. Iyon po ang talagang ipinagpapasalamat namin,” she added.
Espiritu, who had been working in Bahrain for eight years, was originally scheduled to return home on March 18, but her flight was canceled due to airport closures. She sought assistance from the Philippine Embassy, which responded promptly.
Jessica Inso, an OFW from Qatar who experienced repeated travel disruptions and health concerns, also lauded the government’s whole-of-government approach in managing the effects of the Middle East crisis.
“Mr. President, maraming salamat po kasi hindi po kami pinabayaan. Libre po lahat, at maayos ang asikaso ng lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno. Overwhelmed po kami sa tulong,” Inso said.
Inso shared that she had been staying at the Migrant Workers Resource Center in Qatar, which provides protection for distressed OFWs, after her flights scheduled for March 6 and March 14 were both canceled. Suffering from GERD or chronic acid reflux and still recovering from an accident, she decided it was best for her to return home.
“Sa iba-iba pong lugar galing ang mga kasama ko at talaga pong inasikaso po nila kami mula sa immigration, sa airport, at hanggang makalipad po kami at ngayon na nakabalik na po kami dito sa Pilipinas… Wala po akong masabi. Maraming-maraming salamat po,” Inso said.
President Marcos led the “Salubong” event at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for 343 OFWs returning from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia through the government’s fourth chartered flight.
The OFWs received financial support, medical aid, food, livelihood support, temporary accommodation, and free transportation going to their respective provinces.
