A total of 111 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and children arrived Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in two flights.

The OFWs were repatriated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) from Jeddah under the accelerated program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE). Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

According to OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon, who led the repatriation team at the NAIA to help the OFWs in clearing customs and immigration procedures, 57 female and 26 children arrived on board EY428 while 24 male, three female and one infant arrived on board BI689.

Dimzon said the OFWs who arrived brings to a total of more than 500 OFWs stranded in Jeddah that were flown home for the last three weeks since July 27.

She also said that welfare officers in Jeddah estimates that an additional 500 will be repatriated mainly those that were accommodated at the Hajj Terminal as soon as their employers waive their objection to the deportation of OFWs.

The OWWA chief said that they are also working closely with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to repatriate distressed workers in large batches.

Dimzon said the DoLE accelerated repatriation program is a commitment to President Benigno Aquino III who wanted expanded welfare programs to protect and promote the welfare of OFWs.

She explained that under the immigration laws of Saudi Arabia, foreign workers who absconded from their contracts of employment are automatically considered as overstaying or illegal workers.

The workers are required to settle their issues with their employers before they can leave Saudi Arabia .

The OWWA also rents a space at the Hajj Terminal to accommodate the large number of Filipinos awaiting deportation.

They also subsidized their meals and once workers were cleared for deportation by Saudi immigration they are booked on the earliest available flights or within one month.

The OFWs and children who arrived last Thursday night were also be offered temporary stay, meals, medical check-up and stress debriefings at the OWWA Halfway House in Pasay City while awaiting transport arrangements to their hometowns.

The workers will also be briefed on the livelihood assistance programs of the DoLE.