By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all concerned government agencies to safely repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel and Iran as conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate.
In a video message posted in his official Facebook page on Monday, the President said that food packs and financial assistance have already been provided to OFWs through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
“I urge our fellow Filipinos to coordinate with our embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran. Please follow their guidance, inform them of your situation, and do not hesitate to ask for assistance,” Marcos 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.”
According to the President, the government is moving swiftly to process the repatriation of over 200 individuals in Israel, with DMW Sec. Cacdac already in Amman, Jordan to meet the first batch of 26 repatriates.
He added that the Philippine Embassy in Iran is also working on the repatriation of eight Filipinos in the coming days.
“Upon arrival in the Philippines, they will receive immediate support—including P150,000 in assistance, accommodation, transport, and livelihood support with training vouchers to help them recover and start again,” he said.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the Chief Executive supports efforts to avoid war.
“Ang panawagan din po ng Pangulo ay magkaroon po ng mapayapang pag-uusap at diplomasya para po maibsan ang lumalalang hindi pagkakasundo,” Castro said.
“Kailangan din pong manindigan para sa pandaigdigang kapayapaan para maging matatag po ang global community o pandaigdigang komunidad. Iyan po ang mensahe ng Pangulo.”
In a statement Tuesday, Cacdac reported that at least 31 Filipino repatriates—26 from Israel, three from Jordan, and one each from Palestine and Qatar—are “safe and sound” as Qatar temporarily closed its airspace.
“Our officials and personnel from the Philippine Embassy are on the ground providing our OFWs, who availed the repatriation program of our government as mandated by our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the necessary assistance and coordination with the Qatari authorities,” Cacdac said.
“For the families of the repatriated OFWs, please be assured that we are actively working to finalize new flight arrangements,” he added.
On June 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised Alert Level 3 in Israel and Iran, which calls for voluntary repatriation from Filipinos in the affected areas.
-jpv
