The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) assured continuous repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the conflict-stricken Middle East, adding that government assistance remains available despite a decline in the number of those seeking to return home.

“We still have ongoing repatriation, but it’s unlike the periods of April and May. The number is declining, but we still continue with our repatriation efforts,” DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay said in a news release Monday.

She said that as of July, a total of 10,580 migrant workers, overseas Filipinos and their dependents have been safely repatriated from the Middle East region amid the United States/Israel and Iran tension.

The latest batch consisted of 50 repatriates from Kuwait arrived in the Philippines this week.

Bay said the DMW continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East while coordinating with Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council member states to respond to repatriation requests and other welfare concerns of Filipino workers.

Meanwhile, the MWOs continuously coordinate with Filipinos in the region to ensure that those who need assistance can immediately access government support.

Bay reminded OFWs in conflict-affected areas to prioritize their safety by staying in secure locations and complying with the rules and advisories issued by authorities in their host countries.

She also urged migrant workers to rely only on verified information from Philippine government offices abroad. (PNA)