MANILA— The Philippine government is arranging the return of 349 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid regional security concerns and flight disruptions, with the first 34 workers expected to arrive in Manila on Monday morning.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said the initial group departed Riyadh on Saturday evening for Al Qassim Airport, where they were scheduled to board Qatar Airways flights to Manila via Doha, Qatar.

The workers are expected to arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City at 8:15 a.m. Monday aboard Qatar Airways flight QR 934, following their connecting flight QR 1197 from Al Qassim to Doha.

The 34 workers are part of 249 OFWs with confirmed flight bookings arranged by OWWA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The remaining 215 workers are scheduled to return between Oct. 19 and 25, while arrangements are ongoing for another 100 workers.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan stressed the need for immediate assistance for Filipinos affected by the situation.

“Sa ganitong panahon, hindi maaaring mabagal ang pagkilos ng OWWA. Kailangan natin agad silang abutin, protektahan at tulungan (In times like these, OWWA cannot afford to act slowly. We must reach, protect and assist them immediately),” Caunan said in a statement.

OWWA Riyadh coordinated with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Riyadh and the Philippine Embassy to facilitate the first batch’s return. The agency also provided the workers with temporary accommodation, food, transportation and airline tickets.

Upon their arrival in the Philippines, OWWA’s Repatriation and Assistance Division will provide airport assistance, transportation, temporary accommodation when necessary, and domestic flights for those returning to their home provinces.

The agency and the DMW are also exploring alternative flight arrangements through Al Qassim and Dammam for workers affected by cancellations and delays.

“Ang mahalaga ay matiyak na ligtas ang ating mga kababayan at makabalik sila sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Hindi nagtatapos ang Alagang OWWA sa airport (What matters is ensuring the safety of our fellow Filipinos and helping them return to their loved ones. OWWA’s care does not end at the airport),” Caunan said.

OWWA said it continues to coordinate with the DMW, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, MWO Riyadh and airlines to facilitate subsequent repatriation flights.

The repatriation efforts come amid regional security concerns, including reported drone and missile attacks in Saudi Arabia attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. An incident at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reportedly killed more than a dozen people and injured hundreds.(PNA)