ILOILO City – With the Israel-Iran conflict escalating, the city government is closely monitoring the condition of 24 Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel and offering immediate repatriation assistance should they request it.
The OFWs – employed across various sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, domestic service, and food establishments – were deployed prior to Israel’s 2019 halt in new foreign contracts, according to Gab Umadhay, head of the Iloilo City Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
“None of the 24 have requested to come home so far, but the city is ready 24/7. If they decide to return, we will assist with repatriation, including negotiating with employers for the proper cancellation of contracts,” said Umadhay.
Some of the OFWs have lived in Israel for over a decade, and many have built lives there — marrying locals and raising families — which Umadhay said explains their reluctance to leave despite the worsening security situation.
Umadhay shared that PESO has been in consistent contact with the OFWs since last year due to Israel’s conflict with Hamas, a terrorist organization based in the adjacent Palestine territory of the Gaza Strip.
Many of the Ilonggo workers are trained to follow safety protocols, including seeking shelter in bomb bunkers during missile alerts, said Umadhay.
“Some healthcare workers say they are instructed to enter bomb shelters every two hours, depending on local alerts,” Umadhay revealed.
While the Philippine government has elevated alert levels and initiated voluntary repatriation programs, Iloilo City’s proactive stance highlights the importance of localized support for OFWs facing crises abroad.
“Our priority is their safety and well-being. We are committed to being here for them and their families,” Umadhay emphasized./PN
