• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
None of the 121 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel, who are from Negros Occidental, have sought the help of the provincial government’s Migrant Resource Center for their return to the province, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday (June 23).
Of the said number, 13 are residents of highly-urbanized Bacolod City, according to records of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
“None of them wants to come back as of this time,” Lacson said.
Still, he said the OFW Help Desk is open to assist, in case they change their minds, and want to return to the Philippines.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola said on Monday that they have received 253 repatriation requests from Filipinos in Israel, who expressed their intent to return to the country.
Malacañang moved to dispel growing public anxiety over the possibility of a global war, assuring Filipinos that the government is fully prepared to respond to any eventuality amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed all relevant agencies to prioritize the protection and welfare of overseas Filipinos, especially those in high-risk areas.
The Palace made the statement following a surge of fears online over the potential outbreak of World War III, as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify.
About 30,000 Filipinos live in Israel, mainly working in caregiving and domestic services.
In Iran, around 1,180 Filipinos reside, most of whom are married to locals.
Due to the escalating conflict, the Philippines earlier raised Alert Level 3 in both Israel and Iran, encouraging voluntary repatriation and extra precaution. | GB with PNA reports
