MANILA, Philippines — The cost of repatriating Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the Middle East has nearly doubled to about ₱190,000 per person, as rising airfares and expanded insurance coverage strain government resources, according to a Senate panel.
In a preliminary report, the Senate committee chaired by Sherwin Gatchalian warned that the sharp increase in expenses is rapidly depleting funds allocated for emergency repatriation.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported that nearly 20 percent of its ₱1.6-billion repatriation fund has already been utilized just weeks into the ongoing crisis in the Gulf region.
Previously, the cost of sending OFWs home was below ₱100,000 per person. However, government officials said higher ticket prices and stricter insurance requirements have pushed expenses to current levels.
Funding Concerns Raised
Lawmakers cautioned that the situation could worsen if more Filipinos require evacuation. Based on estimates, if just 1 percent of the 2.4 million OFWs in the Middle East—around 24,000 workers—need to be repatriated, the government would require approximately ₱4.8 billion.
Such a scenario, the panel said, could quickly exhaust available funds.
Calls for Immediate Action
To address the funding gap, Gatchalian recommended tapping the government’s contingent funds or passing a supplemental budget to sustain repatriation and reintegration efforts.
He also emphasized the need for a long-term, “whole-of-government” reintegration strategy, supporting measures such as the proposed Bagong Balikbayan Act, which aims to institutionalize assistance for OFWs from deployment to post-return support.
Separately, Risa Hontiveros proposed a ₱52.8-billion supplemental fund, including ₱18 billion earmarked for emergency repatriation, in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA.
Ongoing Repatriation Efforts
Amid escalating tensions, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported that an additional 344 Filipinos, including 228 OFWs, have returned to the country via the government’s seventh chartered flight from Dubai.
Outlook
With the crisis in the Middle East showing no immediate signs of easing, lawmakers stressed the urgency of securing additional funding and strengthening long-term support systems for OFWs.
The rising cost of repatriation, they said, underscores the need for sustained preparedness to protect millions of Filipino workers abroad.
Source : bilyonaryo
