The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is fully prepared to bring back Filipinos from the Middle East in light of the heightened alert status due to the Israel-Iran conflict. Undersecretary Bernard Olalia assured that the DMW, Migrant Workers Offices (MWO), and labor attachés in the region are on high alert for any potential situations.
Olalia emphasized that contingency plans are in place and the government is ready to offer immediate assistance as needed. He made these statements during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, stressing the importance of being prepared to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
He also mentioned that a hotline, 1348, has been activated to provide assistance to those affected by the conflict. This hotline is accessible for OFWs and their families in the country who may require support during this challenging time.
Currently, there are approximately 20,000 OFWs in Israel, working in various sectors such as caregiving, hotels, agriculture, and manufacturing. Olalia pointed out that Israel has been under Alert Level 3, which allows for voluntary repatriation, since 2023.
Regarding the possibility of raising the alert level to Level 4 for mandatory evacuation, Olalia stated that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will make that decision based on the situation on the ground.
Recent reports from Anadolu News Agency indicated that Israel initiated a military operation targeting Iran's nuclear and military facilities, resulting in the deaths of top military commanders and scientists. The attacks extended to cities like Tehran, Natanz, Tabriz, and Isfahan, prompting Iran to launch its own military response, dubbed 'Operation True Promise III'.
As a result of the missile launches, alarms were sounded in various Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. In light of these developments, the DMW has provided additional contact numbers for OFWs who may require assistance:
- +63 2 1348 (for those abroad)
- Viber/WhatsApp numbers: +63 908 326 8344, +63 927 147 8186, +63 920 517 1059
- Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel: +972 54 466 1188
- MWO in Israel: +972 50 762 2590
- Overseas Welfare Office in Israel: +972 50 715 6937
- Philippine Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon: +961 70 858 086
- MWO in Lebanon: +961 79 110 729
- MWO in Jordan: +962 7 8149 1183 / +962 7 8519 1891
It is crucial for OFWs to stay informed and be prepared for any potential evacuation or assistance that may be required during this challenging period.
Source: Philippine News Agency
