Over 500 OFWs have been repatriated from Israel-Hamas conflict, says DMW

HOMEWARD BOUND Ambassador Alfonso Ferdinand Ver and Consul General Marford Angeles of Embassy of the Philippines in United Arab Emirates meet 39 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel while in transit at Abu Dhabi International Airport. They comprise the 7th batch of OFWs to return to the Philippines since Israel-Hamas conflict broke out in early October. (File photo from DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS Facebook page, November 13, 2023)

MANILA, Philippines — More than 500 Filipinos have been repatriated in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

In a radio interview on Tuesday, Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac said the repatriated Filipinos are from Israel and Lebanon.

“Ang total na nakauwi na, thus far, is 555,” he gave the figure in an interview over Radyo 630.

(The total number of persons who have returned home is 555.)

“[Ito ang] mga natulungan nating makauwi, sanib pwersa ng DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration,” he said.

(They are the ones we were able to assist, joining of forces between DMW and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.)

He added departments of Foreign Affairs, Health, Social Welfare and Development, Labor and Employment, as well as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, participated in the operations.

DMW intends to repatriate more Filipinos from Israel.

“Meron pa tayong inaasahang panlabinlimang batch from Israel. ‘Yun yung sinasabi ko kaninang mga 83 [individuals] na pina-process natin,” Cacdac noted.

(We are still expecting a fifteenth batch from Israel. That’s what I was saying earlier about 83 individuals that we are processing.)

“Of course, this is still a live count. Posibleng hindi mahinto sa 83 ‘yung minamanmanan nating sitwasyon,” he said.

(Of course, this is still a live count. It is possible that the situation we are monitoring will not stop at 83.)

Filipinos being repatriated from Israel are given financial assistance by Philippine government.

“Yung mga nanunumbalik [mula] sa Israel ay binibigyan natin ng at least P100,000 cash assistance kasi war-like ang situation na pinanggagalingan [nila],” Cacdac explained.

(Those who are returning from Israel, we give them at least P100,000 cash assistance because the situation where they came from is war-like.)

He added the aid is given to enable the repatriated Filipinos to “somehow get through” life or start a small business.

“Ang TESDA ay nagbibigay ng training commitment at training vouchers sa kahit anong accredited institution at kahit anong kurso ng TESDA,” Cacdac mentioned.

(TESDA provides training commitment and training vouchers to any accredited institution and any TESDA course.)

“Merong tulong para sa pangmatagalang empleyo ang DOLE at DMW… para tulungan ang mga nanunumbalik na maghanap ng trabaho,” he said.

(DOLE and DMW have assistance for long-term employment… to help returnees find work.)