Govt repatriates 35 OFWs from Israel-Iran conflict

The Philippine government is intensifying its efforts to repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and tourists affected by the Israel-Iran conflict.

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported that 178 OFWs in Israel have expressed their desire to return, marking a significant increase from just 85 days ago.

This week, twenty-seven Filipinos from Israel and eight from Iran are expected to return home, with the majority being OFWs and some tourists.

The government has facilitated the return of nearly 4,000 OFWs since October 2023, providing financial aid, shelter, and medical support to displaced workers, particularly caregivers whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the conflict.

Each returning OFW will receive PHP150,000 in financial assistance split between the DMW's Action Fund and OWWA's Emergency Repatriation Fund to cover about two months of lost income and support reintegration efforts.