Latest news with #OFW
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
First batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers from Iran arrive in Philippines
The Philippine government on June 28 repatriated the first group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Iran escaping the conflict between the Islamic Republic and Israel. Six OFWs from Iran arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Pasay City via Emirates flight EK 334. This marked the initial batch of Filipino workers to be repatriated from the Islamic Republic since the June 13 breakout of the Israel-Iran conflict. Among the group, five were working as shrimp hatchery technicians, while one was a domestic worker based in Dubai who was accompanying her employer on a trip to Iran. They were received by personnel from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Owwa is covering their temporary stay in Manila as well as the cost of their return flights to their respective provinces. Two additional workers from Iran are expected to arrive on Saturday night, June 28. Prior to this, the government had also repatriated 31 OFWs from Israel due to the same conflict. While Iran is home to less than 30 OFWs, around 1,100 Filipinos are spouses and children of Iranians. So far, only eight Filipinos in Iran have sought government-assisted repatriation. The Department of Foreign Affairs on June 20 raised Alert Level 3 for both Iran and Israel, initiating voluntary repatriation efforts. This followed the DMW's announcement of stricter deployment measures for OFWs heading to the Middle East.
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Six OFWs from Iran arrive safely in PH
Six overseas Filipino workers (OFW) repatriated from Iran amid its conflict with Israel arrived safely in the Philippines on Saturday morning, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. The OFWs — five who worked as shrimp hatchery technicians in Iran and one domestic worker from Dubai who accompanied her employer to Iran as a tourist — arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, and DMW Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi welcomed the OFWs. The repatriated workers were also met by the MIA Medical Team as well as a social welfare officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The OFWs boarded an Emirates flight to Manila. "The repatriation was made possible through the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Tehran, led by Ambassador Roberto Manalo, in close coordination with the DMW and OWWA," the DMW said. The repatriated OFWs were given financial assistance by the DMW, OWWA, and DSWD. The MIA Medical Team also provided them with food and medical services. The OWWA will give the OFWs temporary hotel accommodations and domestic flights back to their home provinces. The DMW said two more OFWs from Iran are expected to arrive on Saturday night. "This group marks the first batch of Filipinos repatriated from Iran following the June 13 Israel-Iran conflict," the DMW said. President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday tasked government offices to take the necessary steps to ensure the safe and orderly return of Filipino workers who wish to avail themselves of voluntary repatriation. In a statement, Marcos said the government is already processing over 200 requests for repatriation and ''we are moving quickly to bring them home while others have opted to remain at work.'' ''I urge our fellow Filipinos to coordinate with our embassies in Tel Aviv and in Tehran. Please follow their guidance, inform them of your situation, and do not hesitate to ask for assistance,'' Marcos said. The Philippine government raised crisis alert level 3 in Israel and Iran on June 20, urging Filipinos in the area to avail of voluntary repatriation. Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions. At least 30,000 workers, mostly caregivers, are in Israel, and more than 1,000 are in Iran. Tensions heightened between Israel and Iran on June 13 after Israel struck nuclear and military targets Tehran with missiles. According to an Israeli military official, Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days. Iran retaliated, then both countries traded missile attacks. The US also bombed Iran nuclear sites on June 21, and Iran thereafter fired missiles at an American base in Qatar on June 23. A ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced by US President Donald Trump. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
From financial talks to new partnerships: Highlights from TFT Watchlist Forum in Saudi
For the very first time, The Filipino Times Watchlist Forum was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, gathering Filipino community leaders, OFW advocates, industry experts, and inspirational voices under one roof. Powered by The Filipino Times, the world's largest international Filipino news media and marketing agency, and organized by New Perspective Media Group, the two-day event took place on June 20–21, 2025, marking a major milestone in strengthening community engagement in the Kingdom. Here's a quick look at what made this forum truly memorable: Real talk, real stories, real empowerment The TFT Watchlist Forum 2025 in Saudi Arabia featured two main panel discussions focused on empowering overseas Filipinos. The first panel tackled financial freedom for OFWs, offering insights on how to turn remittances into long-term investments, particularly in real estate. The second panel, Kuwentong OFW, highlighted inspiring stories of Filipinos who are thriving abroad while making a positive impact on their communities. Solo presentations were also held, covering topics such as financial planning at midlife and embracing innovation through AI to help OFWs adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing world. TFT Pa-regalo: Giveaways, freebies, at sponsor booths Adding fun and excitement to the two-day forum was the TFT Pa-regalo promo, which gave attendees the chance to take home major giveaways such as electronics, cash gifts, grocery packs, and even a round-trip ticket to the Philippines. Participants simply had to visit all four sponsor booths, complete their stamp cards, and submit them for a chance to be included in the raffle draws held throughout the event. The sponsor booths were led by Ayala Land International Sales, Inc. and DMCI Homes as silver sponsors, along with Arthaland, Sun Life, and Philippine Airlines, as support sponsors. Forging partnerships with Filipino orgs, communities in KSA A key moment in the forum was the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between The Filipino Times and 29 Filipino organizations in Saudi Arabia, formalizing partnerships for future collaborations that serve the OFW community. The organizations include: Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Eagles Club Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Lady Eagles Club Ilonggo Amigos Community Hakbang ng Maisug Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Community Investigative Support KSA Modelo ng Pilipinas Filipino Athletes and Performers Society Diversified Movement of Empowered Migrants Middle East Reyna Filipinas Runway Middle East V3 Icon PICE KSA Riyadh Philippine Professional Organization Eastern Region Saudi Arabia Chapter Filipino Nurses in Arabia (FiNA) Filipino Liaison Association in Riyadh PICPA Riyadh Toastmasters Club SMART GOALS Bahay Kalinga Literacy and Life Counseling Services Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines Global City Middle East Extension – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Filipino Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists – Riyadh, KSA Overseas Pinoy Professional Advocates Philippine Insititute of Civil Engineers – Eastern Province Saudi Arabia Skills Empowerment & Education Development Training Center Samahang Ilokano Pilipinas International 1972 INC. MI Philippines FILCOM KSA SE Productions Livestrong Zumba Squad Filipino Badminton Community Beauty Lair & Vanity Lounge IECEP Knights of Rizal These partnerships signal stronger unity, shared goals, and continued bayanihan among Filipino-led organizations in the Kingdom. The success of The Filipino Times Watchlist Forum 2025 – Saudi Arabia marks a new chapter in community-building efforts across the region. From financial empowerment to emotional connection and future-ready skills, the two-day forum proved that Filipinos abroad are not just workers — they are leaders, dreamers, and change-makers. With more collaborations and bigger gatherings on the horizon, the spirit of unity and resilience among OFWs in Saudi Arabia continues to grow stronger, and The Filipino Times is honored to stand right beside them.
Filipino Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Future-proofing OFW careers through AI tackled at TFT Watchlist Forum
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping the global workforce took center stage at the first-ever The Filipino Times Watchlist Forum in Saudi Arabia, through a solo presentation focused on preparing Filipino workers for the future of work. Titled 'AI and the OFW: Evolve, Adapt, Succeed,' the session was led by Ferdinand Gueco, Procurement Supervisor at Foods Gate Company and Club President of PICPA Riyadh Toastmasters Club. Gueco shared insights on how overseas Filipino workers can prepare for technological changes in the workplace by building strong communication skills, leadership, and a learning mindset. He highlighted adaptability as a survival skill — stressing that those who embrace change and continue learning are more likely to thrive in modern workplaces disrupted by automation and innovation. Drawing from his background in procurement and years of experience in public speaking, Gueco offered practical insights on how workers can remain competitive by being proactive, tech-aware, and committed to self-improvement. The talk underscored that future-proofing one's career goes beyond technical knowledge — it requires the right mindset, resilience, and the ability to grow in a fast-changing world.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Israel back to normal but will help OFW repatriation, says ambassador
Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said Wednesday the situation in Israel is back to normal but its government will continue to assist Filipinos who wish to be repatriated. In an interview with GMA News Online on Wednesday, the ambassador confirmed the state of emergency in Israel has been lifted following a ceasefire between his country and Iran. 'Life in Israel is back to normal, which means for the [Overseas Filipino Workers] in Israel, it is safe to go out, to go do your shopping, to meet your friends, continuing with daily life as you did before,' Fluss said. 'I think it's also a very good and positive message, of course, to the families here, knowing that the loved ones in Israel are sort of back to normal life and don't have to go every night, like my family or our families in Israel who had to go once, twice, three times a day into the shelters and suffering from those missiles falling in different parts of the country,' he added. Despite the improving condition in the region, Fluss maintained Israel will not stop any OFW who wished to return to the Philippines, and that repatriation efforts are being conducted in coordination with the Philippine Embassy, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). On the part of Israel, Fluss shared his country has aided repatriation efforts by coordinating crossing routes. 'It's a free country. Israel is not putting any obstacles in that way. There's no problem. They're entitled to whatever they are supposed to get,' he said. Israel is also offering psychological assistance to OFWs who may have been affected by the conflict, and said his government is doing its best to care for Filipinos in need of medical attention. The diplomat said OFWs who chose to be repatriated may return without a re-entry visa should they wish to return to Israel. 'They can simply come back. So this is again an Israeli government initiative in order to make people feel easier in leaving the country, but knowing that they can come back and they don't need to apply for re-entry visa,' he said. The right to be a state The ambassador denied claims from Palestine that it was Israel framing the war as religious, saying it is 'disinformation and misinformation.' Rather, he shared that Israel was simply fighting for its right to become a state. 'You know, the Palestinians are trying to put blame on Israel, on everything, and any bad word they can say, they will try. That's part of the, unfortunately, sort of disinformation and misinformation, and they're putting Israel in the image of being the bad guy,' he said. 'It's a very, very complicated issue. I never claimed that it's a religious conflict... And there's no desire to create war against other religions, where full democracy, that's not the issue. The issue here goes to a different place. It is recognition of the right of the state of Israel, which is the homeland for the Jews to exist,' he continued. Fluss said that Israel's goal to be recognized as its own state was behind their conflict with Iran and Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 persons during the October 7, 2023 attacks. 'We are seeing what is the kind of attacks and terrorism that they're spreading and who they are targeting, and why are they doing this? Because they don't want to see the Jewish state of Israel, the homeland of the Jews there. They want to annihilate the state of Israel,' Fluss said. 'We're always saying Israel has to be strong, because only when you're strong, you'll survive, because you are being targeted again and again… Thank God, we are strong. We are able not only to survive, but to thrive,' he added. Fluss acknowledged that a part of Palestine's territory was occupied by Israel, but noted Israel provided Palestinians in these areas with rights and autonomy. He also clarified that Gaza was not under occupation. 'Until then, they had no autonomy, they had no self-rule. And the idea was to try to move on with a peace process with the Palestinians. And this was the goal, in order to end us occupying some parts… As long as we don't have a partner to negotiate peace, there is no way forward from the Palestinian and from their point of view of resolving this conflict between us and the Palestinians. And we will continue, unfortunately, to struggle,' he said. Fluss hopes for a future where Israel would be accepted as its own state, and asked Palestinians would find it in themselves in the future to acknowledge this. A rise in anti-semitism Meanwhile, the ambassador rejected accusations that Israel labeled its critics as anti-semitic. While he noted there has been a recent increase in anti-semitic sentiments, he said that it was normal and legitimate to have arguments and political discussions as long as the right of a state to exist was not being denied. 'We are seeing a global raise of anti-Semitic sentiments, which is alarming. Globally, we're seeing an increase to 46% of the responders who expressed anti-Semitic sentiments. I said in the Philippines, and this is why I actually talked about it, we have seen also a rise in anti-Semitic sentiments… Not acts, not statements, but sentiments by the people who responded. And it went up in 10 years from 3% to 42%,' he shared. 'That's something that I think globally has to be raised… We have a history and centuries of persecution against the Jews. However, not every criticism of political issues and arguments are anti-Semitism. There is a global definition of anti-Semitism, and the Philippines has joined the global definition of anti-Semitism,' he added. —RF, GMA Integrated News
