The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Zamboanga Peninsula, working with multiple partner agencies, successfully assisted a large group of Filipino citizens returning from Sabah, Malaysia. This coordinated effort ensured a safe and orderly arrival for the 844 individuals at the Port of Zamboanga in the early hours of Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Immediate Assistance for Returnees
The group of 844 returnees arrived around 3 a.m. on January 17 aboard a commercial vessel traveling from Sandakan, Sabah. According to DSWD-Zamboanga Peninsula Director Riduan Hadjimuddin, the composition of the group included 518 adult males, 210 adult females, 59 male children, and 57 female children. Upon docking, DSWD personnel were ready to provide immediate support.
"They were immediately provided with hot meals and essential personal items upon arrival at the port," Director Hadjimuddin stated. This initial care was a critical first step in addressing the immediate needs of the returning Filipinos after their journey.
Next Steps and Coordination
Following the initial reception, the individuals were transported to the DSWD's Processing Center for Displaced Persons (PCDP) located in Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City. At the center, each returnee undergoes profiling and assessment. The primary goal of the DSWD is to facilitate and support their travel back to their home provinces.
Director Hadjimuddin noted that while a majority of the returning Filipinos from Sabah hail from the island province of Tawi-Tawi, others come from various parts of the Philippines. This batch of 844 individuals marks the first major group of returnees to be assisted by the agency in the new year.
Multi-Agency Collaboration Ensures Safety
The successful operation was made possible through a broad inter-agency collaboration. Key partners in ensuring the orderly and safe reception included:
- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
- Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
- Bureau of Immigration (BI)
- Bureau of Quarantine
- Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM)
- Office of Civil Defense (OCD)
- City Government of Zamboanga
This comprehensive DSWD assistance framework highlights the government's structured response to support overseas Filipinos in their return and reintegration. The event underscores the ongoing movement of citizens between Sabah and the southern Philippine ports, with Zamboanga serving as a primary gateway.
