MARCH 3, 2026 — More than 80 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Dubai have expressed their desire to return home as tensions continue to escalate in parts of the Middle East, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that while there is currently no formal repatriation program in place due to the temporary closure of Dubai’s airspace, the government is taking precautionary steps. Filipinos who wish to leave are being temporarily relocated to safer areas while authorities assess transportation options and monitor developments.

Data from the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) estimate that approximately 975,000 Filipinos are living and working in the United Arab Emirates. This significant population highlights the scale of potential logistical challenges should tensions intensify and a broader evacuation become necessary.

Dubai remains one of the primary hubs for Filipino workers in the Gulf region, particularly in hospitality, construction, healthcare, and domestic services. Even without direct conflict within the UAE, regional instability often triggers anxiety among expatriate communities, prompting voluntary repatriation requests.

The situation underscores the delicate balance between preparedness and practicality. Organizing mass repatriation for hundreds of thousands of workers requires coordination, funding, and diplomatic engagement—especially if airspace restrictions persist.

While only dozens have formally requested to return so far, the numbers could rise depending on how events unfold. The broader issue extends beyond immediate evacuation plans: it touches on crisis readiness, migrant worker protection, and the economic realities that drive Filipinos to work abroad.

As tensions remain fluid, one pressing question emerges: If the situation worsens, can the Philippines swiftly and sustainably bring home nearly a million citizens from a single country? (Larawan mula sa: Stimson Center / Facebook)