KUALA LUMPUR - The government of the Philippines is arranging two charter flights to repatriate overseas Filipino workers affected by tensions in the Middle East.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced the plan on Tuesday during a visit to New York City, as reported by Philippines News Agency.

He made the remarks in an interview at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel following his two-day working visit.

Mr Marcos said the government stands ready to assist Filipinos abroad who wish to return home amid the crisis.

He noted that three commercial flights operated by Emirates had already transported several Filipinos from Dubai to Manila.

With the situation gradually stabilising, he said authorities are preparing two additional charter flights for Filipinos seeking to leave the Gulf region.

“And there are two flights that we are planning,” Mr Marcos said.

He said one charter flight will depart from Riyadh to carry Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia as well as those from Kuwait and Bahrain.

Another charter flight will depart from Fujairah to transport overseas Filipino workers based in Dubai.

Mr Marcos said the government is targeting March 13 for the departure of the Fujairah flight.

He said the aircraft is expected to arrive in Manila late that night or early on March 14.

Personnel from the Department of National Defense and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will assist in the repatriation operations.

Mr Marcos added that Hans Leo Cacdac is expected to travel to Dubai to assess the situation and oversee assistance for displaced overseas Filipino workers.

He also said Filipinos arriving from Israel through land border crossings to neighbouring countries such as Oman will be accommodated on the charter flights.