The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has already contacted the 400 Filipinos in Israel amid the state of war, according to its officer-in-charge, Hans Leo Cacdac who met the FilCom leaders and the members, including the recruitment agencies.
During the teleconference meeting,the DMW OIC assured the government’s readiness to provide assistance to the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are trapped in the war in the Holy Land.
Cacdac encouraged the Filipino communities to stay in their shelters, based on the Israeli Home Front Command’s rules.
Moreover, as notified by the Philippine Ambassador to Israel, Pedro Lalyo Jr., he said OFWs should not cut off communication with the Embassy and the Filipino community.
For the part of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which is an attached agency of DMW, Administrator Arnell Ignacio has signed the special order setting for 24/7 operation of the special assistance team in accordance with the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Meanwhile, in an interview during DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ed De Vega said they are still confirming the reported casualties and will yet to disclose the information.
“Merong balita na baka may casualty, pero chinicheck pa natin. Ngayon ang main focus natin ngayon ang gustong umuwi,” he said.
“Merong reports na may casualty, sana hindi totoo. Kung totoo man, di muna namin ire-reveal,” the Foreign Affairs Undersecretary added.
De Vega said that the government is doing its best to help the OFWs and has ensured that the funding will not be a problem.
Usec. Eduardo Jose De Vega, DFA, sa kalagayan ng 7 Pilipino na hostage ng Hamas: Ive-verify namin kasi parang dumadami ang numbers. Nagkakaroon pa ng reports na may dinukot.#DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 10, 2023
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“Ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang kung ano magagawa natin. Tsaka expenses are not a problem; we will fund them. Ang issue lang, kung hindi makakalusot sa Israel, siguro sa Egypt susubukang pumasok para makauwi," said the DFA Usec. explained.
