Malacañang defended the absence of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where government officials have been welcoming Filipinos returning home after being displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President has designated officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to assist arriving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). "DMW and OWWA are already there and were instructed by the President to take care of and help our fellow countrymen," Castro said. She explained that the President is currently focused on addressing the broader impact of the Middle East conflict on Filipinos and the Philippine economy. "We need to fix additional programs and assistance for our fellow countrymen to mitigate the impact on our country of what is happening in the Middle East," Castro said. According to the DMW, a total of 1,315 OFWs and their dependents affected by the crisis have already been assisted by the government from March 5 to March 14 under the Bagong Pilipinas Repatriation Program. Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the number includes 1,022 OFWs and 293 dependents who were either stranded or repatriated from affected areas. Cacdac added that the government is prioritizing the repatriation of OFWs in high-risk areas, those who are ill, and those facing other humanitarian concerns while arrangements are being made for their safe return to the Philippines. The latest batch of repatriates arrived on board a government-chartered flight carrying distressed and stranded OFWs from Riyadh.
