Manila, March 23 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed 343 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from the Middle East amid the ongoing regional conflict, as the government ramps up its evacuation efforts.

The repatriates arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City aboard the fourth government-chartered flight, coming from Saudi Arabia.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the group includes Filipinos from Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, many of whom had to undergo land travel due to airspace restrictions.

"Mayroon po tayong 343 sa ikaapat na charter flight mula Saudi Arabia... 234 po ay mula Qatar, Kuwait at Bahrain (We have 343 on the fourth charter flight from Saudi Arab...