13th batch of Filipino workers from Israel back home

This picture taken from a position near Sderot along the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip on Nov. 4, 2023, shows fire and smoke billowing following an airstrike by Israeli forces on the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / Agence France-Presse)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday welcomed the return of 37 Israel-based Filipino workers as part of the government’s voluntary repatriation program amid the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

The DMW said the 37 Filipinos represent the 13th batch of returnees from Israel — composed of 28 caregivers and four hotel workers.

“They received a total of P125,000 in financial aid, training and capacity enhancement vouchers, as well pabaon [take-home] goodies and a pail full of Noche Buena items from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office,” the DMW said.

READ: Repatriating Filipinos in Gaza would be harder than those in Israel – DFA 

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Other agencies that provided financial and other forms of assistance to the returning Filipinos — the  Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Philippine government began repatriating Filipinos from Israel on Oct. 18. The war between Israel and Hamas erupted on Oct. 7, following the latter’s unprecedented attack on Israel.

The DMW reaffirmed its commitment to support Filipinos who want to come home due to the hostilities and tensions resulting from the war.