More than 3,300 Filipinos have been repatriated from the Middle East, while more than 18,000 others have received assistance amid ongoing regional tensions, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Tuesday.

“Mula March 5 hanggang March 29, nasa 2,551 na OFW (overseas Filipino workers) na at 835 ng kanilang dependent ang nakauwi na sa bansa (From March 5 to March 29, a total of 2,551 OFWs and 835 of their dependents have returned home),” Marcos said in a national address.

The President added that reintegration programs are in place to support returning Filipinos as they restart their lives in the country.

As of March 27, a total of 18,394 Filipinos in the Middle East have received assistance, including food, temporary shelter, medical aid, transportation, financial support, and repatriation services.

“Habang may Pilipinong nangangailangan ng tulong, patuloy kaming magsusumikap na ipaabot ito (So long as there are Filipinos in need, we will continue to extend assistance),” Marcos said.

He also called on Filipinos to offer prayers for peace during the Holy Week.

“Ngayong Semana Santa… nawa’y isama po natin sa ating dasal ang kapayapaan at kaginhawaan ng lahat (This Holy Week… may we include in our prayers the peace and well-being of all),” he said. (PNA)