BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The city government has confirmed the safety of 18 Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel.
Gabriel Felix Umadhay, manager of the city’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO), said they were able to contact the aforementioned Ilonggo migrants via their families back home.
In response to the crisis, the city government, through PESO-Iloilo City, set up the OFW Help Desk to offer assistance to Ilonggo OFWs in the conflict-affected region of Israel.
Of the 18 Ilonggo OFWs, 12 work as caregivers, while the remainder are employed as engineers, nurses, and hotel staff. Umadhay highlighted that three of these individuals, who are in the conflict zones, have taken refuge in bomb shelters.
PESO-Iloilo City further assured that the city’s help desk would remain operational to continually monitor the situation of these workers. They are prepared to offer support if any OFWs express a desire to be repatriated.
Moreover, the city government stands ready to offer livelihood assistance and financial aid to any Ilonggo OFWs who wish to return home. This aid will be channeled through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Umadhay added, “Gapanawagan gid kita sa pamilya diri sang mga OFWs nga ara sa war zone sa Israel nga makig-angut sa PESO-Iloilo City through 333-1111 (local 517). Pwede ninyo ma-report kon ano ang sitwasyon sang inyo mga himata kag para ma-coordinate namon sa OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) and other relevant agencies agud mabuligan sila.”/PN
