The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and assisting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including Filipino seafarers impacted by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The assurance was made as the government continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to safeguard the welfare of Filipino workers overseas.

According to DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, a total of 3,718 Filipino seafarers have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz following heightened security concerns in the region. However, around 3,000 Filipino crew members aboard approximately 400 vessels remain within the Persian Gulf. On July 6 and 7, the vessels M/V Al Rekayyat and M/V Wedyan, each carrying 15 Filipino seafarers, successfully exited the area and arrived safely in Oman. The crew members of M/V Al Rekayyat have since returned safely to the Philippines.

The DMW said it is continuously verifying the condition and location of the Filipino crew aboard M/V Wedyan while maintaining close coordination with licensed manning agencies and shipowners of vessels still operating in the Persian Gulf. The Department is also ensuring that affected seafarers continue to receive their salaries and benefits, as well as adequate food, potable water, medicines, and other essential supplies while they remain on board.

Beyond maritime workers, the Philippine government remains prepared to extend assistance to OFWs in the Middle East who wish to return home. Based on reports from Philippine Labor Attachés, the government has already provided USD 200 in financial assistance, grocery packages, and other essential support to approximately 18,000 OFWs affected by the regional conflict.

For returning workers, the DMW, together with agencies under the National Reintegration Network (NRN), continues to conduct livelihood and job fairs to help OFWs transition back into the local workforce. To date, more than 40,000 returning OFWs have benefited from 12 livelihood fairs conducted as part of the government\'s reintegration efforts, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.