DMW: 20 more Pinoys to be repatriated amid Israel-Iran conflict

At least 20 more Filipinos are expected to arrive back in the Philippines amid the tension between Israel and Iran, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Thursday. 

DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay said that as of Tuesday, June 24, the total number of overseas Filipinos who signified willingness to be repatriated from the Middle East reached 346.

“Mayroon tayong ina-arrange na mga OFWs na maaaring this weekend, may pinaplantsa na arrangement in terms of flight details. This weekend, maaaring may 20,” Bay told PTV’s “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.” 

(We are arranging for the flights of 20 OFWs this weekend.)

The arriving Filipinos are poised to be the next batch of OFWs expected to return from Israel after 31 repatriates flew back to the country on Tuesday. They were the first batch of Pinoys repatriated since hostilities between Israel and Iran began on June 13.

Bay said some of the repatriates have already returned their home provinces while others are temporarily housed under the custody of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) while securing arrangements for their travel.

“May mga kababayan na maaaring dahil sa nabasa nila na full activity status or because of ceasefire, they are having second thoughts. Nagbabago ang kanilang pagdedesisyon, 202 ang nag-aalangan pa,” she added. 

(A total of 202 Filipinos are thinking twice about going back.)

The DMW said there will be reintegration projects for returning OFWs such as financial assistance, employment, and entrepreneurship programs. 

Ceasefire

US President Donald Trump recently announced a complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran, potentially ending the 12-day war that saw millions flee Tehran and prompted fears of further escalation in the war-torn region.

Last week, the Philippine government raised crisis alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the area to avail of voluntary repatriation amid ongoing armed hostilities between the two Middle Eastern countries.

Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions.

At least 30,000 workers, mostly caregivers, are in Israel, and more than 1,000 are in Iran. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News