Latest news with #DMW-OWWA
GMA Network
23-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
OWWA: 76 OFWs in Israel requested to be repatriated amid conflict
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. 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
GMA Network
22-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
26 Filipinos have departed Israel, says PH embassy
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola speaks with 26 Filipinos who will be voluntarily repatriating to the Philippines amid the Israel-Iran conflict, at the Allenby Border Crossing between Jordan and Israel-controlled West Bank, in this photo posted by the Philippine Embassy in Israel on June 22, 2025. Photo: Philippine Embassy in Israel Twenty-six Filipinos have taken up the Philippine embassy to Israel's offer of voluntary repatriation and are on their way back to the Philippines, the embassy said on Sunday. In a social media post on Sunday, the embassy said that 26 Filipinos have left Israel through the voluntary repatriation program. "26 nating kababayan ang nakaalis na sa pamamagitan ng Voluntary Repatriation program ng Embahada," the embassy said. "Sinamahan sila sa Allenby Border Crossing ni Ambassador Aileen Mendiola at ang DMW-OWWA Team ng Embahada upang maseguro ang matiwasay nilang pagtawid mula Israel papuntang Jordan." (Twenty-six of our compatriots have left through the Embassy's voluntary repatriation gram. They were accompanied to the Allenby Border Crossing by Ambassador Aileen Mendiola and the embassy's DMW-OWWA Team to ensure their peaceful crossing from Israel to Jordan.) The Embassy added that it arranged for the travelers' transportation, transit visas, travel documents, and plane tickets. Before they left, it added, the Filipinos stayed at the Department of Migrant Workers' (DMW) shelter, where they received relief packages and availed of free legal services regarding their benefits. They were also briefed on their reintegration benefits upon their return to the Philippines. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said that the Filipinos expected to return from Israel this week will be composed of 26 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and one tourist. The embassy added that 33 Filipinos making up the second batch of voluntary repatriations are currently being processed. Israel launched several airstrikes on Iran on June 13, claiming that the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran retaliated, striking several airstrikes against Israel. On Sunday, the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has pointed to its right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the international Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East believed to have nuclear weapons. The country does not deny nor confirm that. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
18 OFWs arrive in PH from Middle East
Eighteen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were affected by the rising tensions in the Middle East were repatriated to the Philippines on Monday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. The OFWs arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 around 9:30 a.m., according to the DMW. They were supposedly bound for Tel Aviv, Israel and Amman, Jordan but were stranded in Dubai due to the temporary shutdown of major airports amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The DMW said that its migrant workers office in Dubai provided airport assistance and food to the affected OFWs prior to boarding Philippine Airlines flight PR 659 in Dubai on Sunday, June 15. They were also given financial support through the DMW Aksyon Fund and other necessary assistance by the Philippine government, as directed by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. 'President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gave clear directives to help our Kababayans, our OFWs, who are affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. We stand continually ready to assist and support our OFWs who wish to go home for safety and security,' DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a statement. The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv earlier confirmed that at least four Filipinos have been injured in Iran's retaliatory airstrikes on Israel. The DMW has placed all of its offices across the Middle East on heightened alert amid the conflict. With this, all labor attachés and staff in the region are on 24/7 duty, with leaves canceled and hotlines fully operational round-the-clock. OFWs and OFW families can contact DMW-OWWA at the following numbers if they need assistance or information: DMW-OWWA Help Desk: 1348 For those abroad: +63 2 1348 — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DMW shares hotlines amid Israel-Iran tensions
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which is on heightened alert, has activated its 24/7 Middle East Help Desk for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran. OFWs and OFW families needing help or information could reach DMW-OWWA through the following numbers: DMW-OWWA Help Desk: 1348 For those abroad: +63 2 1348 The agency also released a list of emergency contact numbers of its Migrant Workers' Offices in Israel, Lebanon and Jordan. ISRAEL Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv: +972 54-4661188 MWO: +972 50-7622590 OWO: +972 50-7156937 LEBANON Philippine Embassy in Beirut: +961 70 858 086 MWO in Beirut: +961 79 110 729 JORDAN MWO in Amman: +962 7 8149 1183 ; +962 7 8519 1891 "The Department urges all OFWs in Israel and Iran to remain indoors and stay alert, and stay connected with the Philippine Embassy or MWOs in their respective host countries," it said. "OFWs are also advised to refrain from spreading or sharing unverified information which may cause unnecessary panic and confusion," the DMW added. — Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA Integrated News
