Latest news with #OverseasFilipino
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DMW issues deployment ban on new hires for Iran, Jordan amid conflict with Israel
The Department of Migrant Workers has implemented a deployment ban on new hires for Iran and Jordan amid ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. 'New hires are prohibited. Returning [Overseas Filipino Workers] are allowed, technically speaking. But they still can't travel because the airspace is closed,' DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a press conference on Thursday. The DMW issued Advisory No. 19 s. 2025 reiterating restrictions in the deployment of OFWs to Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. Cacdac advised Jordan-bound OFWs to likewise postpone their trips, given the kingdom shares a common border with Israel. 'The same is true with Jordan-bound OFWs, they are turned back. So we issued an advisory, huwag na kayo pumunta muna. We included that in our advisory to recruitment agencies. Don't send new hires to Jordan because they will just be turned back,' Cacdac added. (Don't go there at this time.) There is an existing deployment ban in Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel in 2023. Cacdac warned that non-compliant recruitment agencies will be held liable. 'That's part of our regulatory authority over them. When we speak in a regulatory sense, then they have to comply. And yes, on the cost of travel, we'll have them pay for that,' Cacdac said. As of Thursday, Cacdac said that there are also 58 Filipinos who are either Israel-bound or Jordan-bound but are stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Of the 58, the DMW has been able to arrange a flight for four Israel-bound Filipinos to return to the Philippines via an Etihad flight in Abu Dhabi. 'We have been helping them,' Cacdac said. While it is not within DMW's purview to make recommendations on alert levels that determine whether there should be a mandatory repatriation or a voluntary one, Cacdac said the agency is focused on helping Filipinos in need, regardless of the situation. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials are the political and security experts. We honor their leadership at the one country team level so it is the ambassador's call, it is the Secretary of Foreign Affairs' call , and we will always defer to the DFA's judgment,' Cacdac said. Tensions are high in the Middle East after Israel launched a preemptive attack against Iran six days ago, supposedly to deter Tehran's nuclear program. —RF, GMA Integrated News
Arabian Business
24-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines boost Doha to Manila flights
Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines have launched a strategic partnership to expand service between Doha and Manila, enabling greater connectivity for passengers from the Philippines traveling to Qatar and onwards to other regions of the world. From June 16, Philippine Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights between Manila and Doha. Qatar Airways will codeshare on the seven weekly flights operated by Philippine Airlines in the first phase of this strategic cooperation. Qatar to Philippine flights The daily flights will depart Manila at 6.50pm and arrive in Doha at 11.40pm. This will provide travellers from the Philippines connectivity to more than 170 destinations, spanning Africa, the Americas, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Eastbound travellers arriving in Doha on Qatar Airways flights can connect smoothly onto Philippine Airlines flights that depart daily from Doha at 1.30am for a convenient afternoon arrival at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 4.15pm. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: 'We continue to explore opportunities that strengthen our connectivity across the world, and our latest partnership with Philippine Airlines is a testament to this commitment. 'This strategic cooperation also aims to deepen the socio-economic ties between the Qatari and Filipino communities. We are proud of the new codeshare flights and look forward to delivering increased benefits to global travellers.' Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer, Captain Stanley K. Ng., said: 'As Philippine Airlines expands its presence across the globe, we are delighted to forge new alliances that enable us to build new connections and give our business and leisure passengers more flexibility and seamless access in flying to their desired destinations. 'Our decision to offer daily frequency to Doha is enabled by our exciting strategic partnership with Qatar Airways and will help us stimulate tourism, trade flows and business growth in the context of the strong bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Qatar. 'Our vital Overseas Filipino Workers and their families will also greatly benefit from this new partnership.' The partner airlines will explore further opportunities for long-term collaboration, including collaborating to promote additional destinations in the respective networks as well as frequent flyer cooperation.
