1,417 OFWs return home from Dubai

MANILA, Philippines — Budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) brought home 1,417 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the travel restrictions in Dubai in the past two weeks.

The airline mounted special commercial flights from Dubai in support of the government’s repatriation program for stranded OFWs.

Aside from meal upgrades, each passenger on these flights received an additional 25-kilo baggage allowance.

The passengers were required to comply with health protocols upon arrival, including a mandatory facility-based quarantine and swab tests both for the fully vaccinated and non-vaccinated.

CEB coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to accommodate returning OFWs and their dependents in quarantine hotels.

The costs of quarantine accommodation and swab test for land-based OFWs were shouldered by the OWWA. The Philippine Ports Authority covered the cost for seafarers.

Returning overseas Filipinos are required to undergo quarantine for six days.

“The Bayanihan flights were mounted so we can bring more Filipinos home. We will continue to work with the government to provide ways to help our countrymen as we enter the holiday season,” Alex Reyes, CEB chief strategy officer, said.

Since July, the airline has brought home more than 6,500 Filipinos from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, India, Lebanon, Oman and Vietnam through chartered flights arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs.