OWWA: 76 OFWs in Israel requested to be repatriated amid conflict

Some 253 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel have expressed their intent to be repatriated to the Philippines amid the conflict between the host country and Iran.

OWWA Administrator and DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan said that only 76 OFWs have confirmed their request for repatriation. Of this number, 26 comprise the first batch scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on Tuesday.

Flight arrangements are also underway for the next batch of 50 OFWs, who are expected to arrive within the week.

Meanwhile, 8 OFWs from Iran are also set to be repatriated. Only a few have requested assistance from Iran, as the DMW-OWWA does not have an office in that country.

To date, eight Filipinos have been reported injured, but only one remains confined in the hospital after undergoing an operation.

Despite the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) declaring Alert Level 3 in both Israel and Iran, many OFWs are still undecided about returning home. Some believe the tensions will ease soon, while others are worried about losing their jobs.

"May paniwala yung iba na patapos na yung nangyayaring conflict. May iba naman ayaw umalis dahil natatakot na wala nang babalik ang trabaho," Caunan said.

"So iba-iba yung dahilan nung mga kababayan natin. Ang directive sa atin ng ating mahal na Pangulo at ni Secretary Hans ay hindi lamang kamustahin but to really put our people on the ground. So tinatawagan natin sila," she added.

"Actually, baka nakukulitan na sila sa kakatawag natin pero gusto natin siguraduhin na talagang okay sila," Caunan said.

There are over 30,000 OFWs in Israel, but only 76 have confirmed their intent to return.

Caunan assured the public of the government’s readiness to repatriate OFWs at any time they choose to return.

"'Yung assurance natin from DMW and OWA is anytime na mag-decide sila that they want to be repatriated, ready yung team natin at i-aarrange natin yung repatriation agad nila.”

She also reiterated that financial assistance amounting to P150,000 will be provided by OWWA and the DMW to OFWs from high-risk areas who decide to come home. This is on top of free repatriation tickets, hotel accommodations, and training vouchers from TESDA and DSWD.

To bolster government support, OWWA has deployed augmentation teams to Israel and Jordan to provide assistance in high-risk areas. These include financial aid, food and hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and counseling for affected OFWs.

Caunan emphasized that the government continues to monitor the situation of Filipinos across the Middle East, and she urged them not to hesitate to seek help should the need arise. –NB, GMA Integrated News