Two OFWs from Isabela who died in the Middle East brought home

Isabela, Philippines – The remains of two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Isabela Province, who reportedly died of illness while working abroad, were flown back to the Philippines this week.

According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Cagayan Valley, its repatriation team assisted in the arrival of the bodies at Tuguegarao City Airport on Monday, October 20, 2025.

Both victims, whose identities were withheld out of respect for their grieving families, were said to have tragically lost their lives due to medical conditions while working in the Middle East.

In a Facebook post, OWWA Region 2 extended its condolences to the families and assured them that all necessary assistance and benefits due to them would be provided.

“We ensured the dignified handling and smooth turnover of the remains to their grieving families, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to provide compassionate service and support during their time of sorrow,” OWWA Region 2 stated.

As of this writing, there are no consolidated data on the total number of OFW deaths this year. However, sporadic reports indicate that most OFW deaths occur in the Middle East or other Arab countries, where a large number of Filipinos are employed.

It can be recalled that former President Corazon Aquino coined the term “Mga Bagong Bayani” (Modern Heroes) in a speech in Hong Kong in 1988, in recognition of the significant contributions of OFWs to the Philippine economy through their remittances and their immense personal sacrifices for their families.