THE PHILIPPINE government is ramping up efforts in protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) caught in the Middle East crossfire amid the escalating tension between Israel and Iran.
Recently, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) welcomed 18 OFWs repatriated by the Philippine government at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City.
During a media briefing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said one of the OFWs is in critical condition at a hospital intensive care unit in Israel, while another is reportedly in a moderate but more stable condition after being injured during Iranian missile attacks that hit parts of the foreign country, including areas near Tel Aviv.
“Naipit po yung kanyang neck, yung kanyang leeg and monitoring po ngayon kasi nasa ICU po siya (Her neck got stuck, and we are monitoring her now because she is in the ICU),” he said.
According to the DMW, the critically injured worker was in the Rehovot area at the time of the attack.
“Yung isa naman po, ating isang kababayan, is moderate critical injuries. Medyo medyo mas stable po yung situation niya ngayon. So siya naman po located around 15 kilometers away from Tel Aviv (The other one, our compatriot, is moderately critical injuries. His situation is a little more stable now. So he is located around 15 kilometers away from Tel Aviv),” Cacdac said.
He said that despite the presence of bomb shelters in Israel, there are situations where people get caught in the blast zones.
The DMW, according to Cacdac, is still trying to get more detailed information on the incident, as they continue to coordinate with Israel-based personnel and the Philippine Embassy to monitor affected workers and provide assistance.
Cacdac assured that welfare officers from both the DMW and OWWA are on the ground, ensuring support and relocation to safer zones when needed.
As of the latest count, 92 OFWs have registered for voluntary repatriation, 82 of them prior to the April 19 Iranian attacks and 10 more after.
“The Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv is currently closed, but we’re eyeing a tentative reopening date of April 30. We will coordinate with both Israeli and Philippine authorities to time the repatriation accordingly,” Cacdac said.
The returned OFWs, 15 from Israel and three newly hired workers from Jordan, had been stranded for 48 hours in Dubai before arriving at NAIA.
They were temporarily housed in a hotel with assistance from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and were flown home once possible.
Upon arrival, each OFW received PHP50,000 in financial assistance, intended to serve as a safety net while their employment is disrupted.
“This is not simply aid. These are safety nets, as they have temporarily lost their source of income,” Cacdac said.
Meanwhile, OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the agency is also assisting in transporting the repatriated OFWs back to their home provinces, while also providing temporary shelter in Manila.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Israel is still under alert level 2, but it may be increased based on the recommendation of the Philippine Embassy.
“Mandatory repatriation is based on alert levels. We are still coordinating with the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and DND (Department of National Defense) on this. But rest assured, we are ready if the situation worsens,” Cacdac said.
Cacdac said there are about 30,000 OFWs in Israel, but it is difficult to determine how many are in immediate danger without causing unnecessary alarm.
Caunan, meanwhile, reminded OFWs to monitor official channels for updates and to follow local advisories.
“We urge our ‘kababayans’ to stay connected through the DMW, OWWA, and embassy Facebook pages. And for families here in the Philippines, they may call our 1348 hotline or reach us via Viber, WhatsApp, and Messenger.”
She also reminded returning OFWs to Israel and Iran to monitor the situation, especially before their flight. (Marita Moaje)
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