ZAMBOANGA CITY — A total of 750 Filipinos returning from Sabah, Malaysia, arrived at the Zamboanga City Port on the evening of November 13, 2026, where government agencies and humanitarian organizations provided immediate food assistance, reception services, and initial support before their transfer to a processing center for further assessment.
The group arrived at approximately 8 p.m., marking the fourth batch of Returning Filipinos from Sabah (RFS) accommodated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IX this year.
Of the 750 returnees, 392 were adult males, 212 were adult females, 128 were boys, and 18 were girls below 12 years old. The arrival included both adults and children who will undergo individual profiling and assessment to determine their circumstances and the assistance they may need as they transition back to their respective communities.
The reception operation involved a coordinated response from the DSWD Field Office IX, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Philippine Red Cross, Zamboanga City Engineer’s Office, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Migrant Workers Regional Office IX (DMW RO-IX), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office IX (OWWA RWO-IX), Bureau of Immigration, Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ZCDRRMO), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the City Government of Zamboanga.
The operation was supervised by DSWD Protective Services Division Chief Rowena Mendoza, RSW, and Processing Center for Displaced Persons (PCDP) Head Fatnohalda Paddih, RSW, who oversaw the reception arrangements, processing procedures, and delivery of immediate assistance.
As part of the initial humanitarian response, the Philippine Red Cross deployed its Mobile Kitchen, dubbed Hot Meals on Wheels, to provide freshly prepared meals to the arriving Filipinos. The DSWD, in coordination with DMW RO-IX, also distributed food packs to help meet the returnees’ immediate nutritional needs.
Following the reception and initial assistance, the 750 individuals were transferred to the DSWD Processing Center for Displaced Persons, where social workers and other concerned agencies would conduct further profiling, documentation, and assessment.
On November 14, DSWD Field Office IX continued the process by conducting individual profiling and assessment activities at the PCDP. Social workers gathered essential personal information and evaluated the returnees’ individual circumstances to identify their needs and determine the appropriate social welfare interventions.
Other government agencies also provided services within their respective mandates. The Department of Health addressed health-related concerns, while DMW Regional Office IX facilitated assistance concerning migrant workers. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), meanwhile, assisted in facilitating registration for National ID services.
The profiling process is also intended to identify individuals who may qualify for additional social welfare assistance, while ensuring proper documentation, validation, and referrals to the appropriate government agencies.
The arrival and subsequent assessment of the 750 Filipinos underscore the importance of coordinated government and humanitarian interventions in addressing the needs of citizens returning from abroad under difficult circumstances.
Beyond the immediate provision of food and reception services, the next challenge is ensuring that the returnees receive appropriate assistance based on their individual circumstances and have access to the necessary support as they work toward reintegration into their respective communities.
The DSWD Field Office IX and its partner agencies said they remain committed to providing timely and responsive interventions to returning Filipinos and their families.