Photo credit: DMW

It was a heartwarming afternoon at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City on October 17, 2024, as another batch of 45 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), accompanied by two children, safely touched down on home soil. Their flight, Kuwait Airways 417, marked the latest in a series of repatriations under the government’s voluntary program to bring Filipinos home from Lebanon. With this arrival, a total of 525 OFWs and 30 dependents have now returned to the Philippines.

Waiting to greet them were top officials who have been working tirelessly to ensure the repatriates' safe return. Among those extending a warm welcome were Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, and Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.

The moment was not just a routine arrival but a relief for many who had endured challenging circumstances abroad. The presence of senior government officials highlighted the administration's commitment to supporting OFWs and their families, especially during crises.

For these 45 individuals and their young companions, the return home signifies not just the end of a difficult chapter but the start of a new one, surrounded by loved ones and a support system ready to help them rebuild.

As the government continues its efforts, more batches are expected to arrive, ensuring that all Filipinos seeking to come home from Lebanon can do so safely.