Home at last: Filipino workers return safely from Bahrain

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

For 42-year-old nurse and mother, Nanette Pahit Pandan from Surigao City, returning home from Bahrain was more than just a journey; it was a step toward safety, renewed hope, and peace of mind.

She was one of 89 Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from Bahrain, part of a larger contingent that included 317 workers and 26 dependents.

The repatriates came from across the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Al Khobar), Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, and were gathered in Riyadh, which served as the main jump-off point for their journey back to the Philippines.

At dawn on March 23, a chartered flight carrying 343 OFWs and their families landed at Villamor Air Base, marking a crucial step in the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts to bring its citizens home from the Gulf region amid rising tensions.

“I slept well for the first time in three weeks,” she shared, her voice carrying both relief and exhaustion.

“For several days, I hardly managed to rest, preoccupied with the sounds outside, uncertain if I would wake up safely each morning.”

The weight of uncertainty and fear had kept her on edge, and only now, with the journey home secured, could she truly feel a wave of tranquility and gratitude wash over her.

Upon arrival in the Philippines from the fourth chartered flight, the repatriates were immediately welcomed by various government agencies that provided essential assistance, including food, temporary accommodation, transportation support, psychosocial services, and reintegration programs.

Recently, 38 OFWs from Bahrain were repatriated as part of the previous batch.

The homecoming represents the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts to assist and safely bring home Filipinos affected by the current situation in the region.

Pandan shared that she and her fellow OFWs stayed at a hotel in Riyadh for two nights after arriving around 11:30 p.m. on March 20.

By the evening of March 22, at approximately 10:00 p.m., they left the hotel and headed to Riyadh Airport to prepare for their flight back to the Philippines.

She left behind her beloved furbaby, Ceasar, in her residence in Gudaibiya.