More OFWs seeking repatriation from Israel

More overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel and in other Middle East countries are seeking repatriation as tension in the region continues to escalate.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the number of OFWs in Israel who expressed their desire to come home has already jumped to 178, and the figure is expected to grow further.

Aside from those in Israel, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have also received requests for repatriation from 14 OFWs in Iran, three in Jordan, one in Lebanon, and one in Iraq.

"Mandatory repatriation ay hindi pa napapanahon (not yet time), but already we know that there are OFWs who are willing to come home, want to come home kaya tutulungan natin sila para magkaroon ng (and we're helping them so they can have) facilitated repatriation," Cacdac said.

Cacdac said the Philippine government is already processing repatriation requests.

He noted that 28 of those who availed themselves of volu tary repatriation are alrea "travel ready" and woul be coming home "as soon possible." Patricia Caunan, OWW chief, noted that many of Filipinos working as caregiv ers in Israel have develop strong emotional ties wi their wards and would rather stay.

Cacdac stressed that the government's repatriation program is still on "voluntary mode" primarily because Israel has bomb shelters that have proven to be effective But still, the government is persuading Filipinos to return voluntarily and get as much as P150,000 financial aid well as necessary medical training and employment assistance, he said.

He also reported that the DMW has also assisted in the repatriation of 58 OFWs who got stranded following the exchange of missile attack between Iran and Israel.