DMW urges OFWs anew in conflict areas to return home

NEARLY a year since conflict broke out in the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) continues to urge overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there to seek repatriation and come home.

In a media forum, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they are hoping more OFWs would come home from “conflict areas,” namely, Israel, Lebanon, West Bank, and Gaza.

“We are encouraging OFWs in those areas to avail of the voluntary repatriation program,” said Cacdac.

Data showed by DMW indicated that a total of 1,108 OFWs and 46 dependents have been repatriated from the conflict areas from October 2023 to August 2024.

The OFWs repatriated included 811 from Israel, 289 from Lebanon, 6 from West Bank, and 2 from Gaza.

Among the dependents brought home, 25 were from Israel and 21 from Lebanon.

Once they are repatriated, Cacdac said the Philippine government is ready to assist them.

This, he said, includes financial, livelihood, medical, and psychosocial assistance to repatriated OFWs.

“When they come home, a whole-of-government approach awaits them with unprecedented financial assistance and other forms of support,” said Cacdac.

It was back in October 2023 when the latest armed conflict between Israel and Hamas militant group erupted in the Gaza Strip.