A picture taken from the southern Israeli border city of Sderot shows smoke rising above buildings in the Gaza Strip during an Israeli strike on November 4, 2023, as battles between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants continue. (AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to extend aid to the 40 Filipinos who were allowed to leave besieged Gaza.
In a message to reporters on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said that the following agencies are directed to give aid:
- Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
“The President has instructed the DMW, OWWA, DSWD as well as Tesda to provide assistance when they get back. Announcements will be made once they arrive,” said Garafil.
Earlier, Marcos said that 40 Filipinos have been allowed to cross Rafah from Gaza to Egypt amid fighting between Israeli forces and the Hamas group, which has left thousands dead, including four Filipinos.