Gov’t to bring home OFWs amid Middle East tension
President Marcos on Monday ordered the immediate and orderly repatriation of Filipinos in Israel and Iran as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
In a statement, the President said alert level 3 has been raised in both countries, prompting preparations for voluntary repatriation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issues warnings ranging from alert level 1 (signs of internal disturbance) to alert level 4 (mandatory evacuation and repatriation).
Many European and Asian countries are already evacuating their citizens through remaining air and land routes.
“I have directed all concerned government agencies to take the necessary steps to ensure the safe, timely, and orderly return of our Filipino workers who wish to avail [themselves] of the voluntary repatriation program,” Mr. Marcos said.
He urged affected Filipinos to contact the Philippine embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran.
“Please follow their guidance, inform them of your situation and do not hesitate to ask for assistance,” he said.
“Your government continues to act and is ready to serve to protect your safety and well-being. Nothing is more important than the safety of every Filipino,” the President added.
According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the first batch of 26 repatriates from Israel is scheduled to cross into Jordan through the King Hussein border, where they will be received by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in Amman.
Government assistance
The President said the government had provided food packs and financial assistance to affected Filipinos in Israel.
Many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are currently being housed at the Migrant Workers Office hostel, with additional space available if needed, he added.
According to the President, more than 200 repatriation requests are currently being processed, while some OFWs have opted to stay and continue working in the region.
He noted that the Philippine Embassy is finalizing arrangements for the return from Iran of an initial group of eight Filipinos in the coming days.
Upon arrival in the Philippines, returning OFWs will receive a government support package that includes P150,000 in financial aid, covering accommodation, transportation and livelihood assistance, he said.
Training vouchers will also be provided to help them recover and reintegrate, the President added.
“For those who choose to stay home for good, we will be there to help with skills training, job matching, startup capital, and support to begin a small business or find new opportunities,” he said.
In a press briefing, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the government was “closely monitoring the situation and working in coordination with our embassies and partner agencies to ensure that no Filipino is left behind.”
Prioritize safety
Earlier on Monday, Sen. Risa Hontiveros had prodded Malacañang to avoid complacency amid the worsening hostilities between Israel and Iran and to be ready for the potential impact of a further escalation on millions of OFWs in the Middle East.
“The whole government must prepare measures to safeguard OFWs in the region. Millions of Filipinos may be affected once the crisis in the Middle East worsens.
Hontiveros warned that the “rapidly escalating conflict” could affect not only the 29,473 Filipinos in Israel and 1,184 in Iran, but also the wider Filipino population of about 2.2 million in the Middle East, especially after Iran’s recent threat of retaliation against the US bombing of its nuclear facilities during the weekend. (See related story on this page.)
The senator emphasized that given the potential deadly and destructive effects of the Iran-Israel conflict, the government should make the safety of OFWs in the Middle East “an urgent national priority.”
Hontiveros also asked if the alert level system being relied upon by the DFA is still adequate “given the almost daily escalation in violence and disruption in the two countries.”
She called on the DFA and the DMW to ensure that contingency plans are in place and that sufficient resources for mass evacuation, transport and care of hundreds or thousands of OFWs are ready for implementation at a moment’s notice.
Coming home
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola said on Monday that more Filipinos in Israel had expressed their intent to return to the country as the Jewish state faced a continuous barrage of Iranian missile strikes.
“So far, we have 253 repatriation requests, but 50 confirmed that they want to leave, so we catered to them first,” Mendiola said in Filipino over radio dzMM on Monday.
Mendiola said the embassy had assisted about 100 Filipinos who crossed the Jordanian border for safety.
More than a hundred Filipinos have already lost their homes, while 118 have been transferred to temporary shelters in Israel following Iran’s missile attacks.
The Philippine Embassy in Israel added that a Filipino remains in critical condition with severe and life-threatening injuries following Iran’s missile attacks last week. —WITH REPORTS FROM CHARIE ABARCA AND JOHN ERIC MENDOZA
