MANILA – Twenty-four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were able to depart Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with the help of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), which provided seats on a repatriation flight arranged for Singaporean nationals amid airspace disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah coordinated with Singaporean authorities after the Filipinos struggled to secure commercial flights due to limited availability.
The group, accompanied by Consul General Rommel Romato, departed King Abdulaziz International Airport on March 12 aboard an RSAF A330 Multi-Role Transport Tanker.
They reached Singapore at around 6 a.m. on March 13, where the Philippine Embassy assisted them in arranging their onward travel to Manila.
The Migrant Workers Office and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Jeddah helped secure their tickets and also provided financial aid.
The DFA expressed gratitude to the Singaporean government for allowing the Filipinos to join the flight, calling the gesture an example of solidarity among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See said the decision to extend seats to Filipino nationals reflects regional cooperation and complements the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to repatriate its citizens.
She added that Singapore and the Philippines share a close friendship and that ensuring people return safely to their families remains the most important priority.
elamigo/xf
