• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental and the Bacolod City government have established their respective help desks to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families amid the escalating armed conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Monday, March 2 that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has ordered to give all out support to Negrense OFWs, who might be affected by the ongoing armed conflict in the Middle East.
Diaz said they are now helping a resident of Isabela town, whose flight to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was cancelled.
“In coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the provincial government commits to provide timely information, guidance, and support to those who may need assistance during this challenging time,” the province said in a statement.
The provincial government can be reached through (0998)9569037 or (0924)1097705.
DMW-Negros Island Region Director Glenda Aligonza also encouraged families of affected OFWs to contact the agency’s hotlines (0965)9403 9063, (0965)6040 3858, (0965) 6558 5355, if they need assistance.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said they have set up a help desk at the Bacolod City Government Center main lobby.
As to the repatriation of any Negrense OFW, Diaz they will wait for instructions from the OWWA.
“As soon as they will arrive, we are preparing some financial assistance so that we can help their families,” he added.
In a press briefing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said there is no order yet for mass repatriation for OFWs, adding that the tension in the Middle East is not yet at Alert Level 4, which requires mandatory repatriation.
He, however, assured intensified in-country assistance for the affected OFWs as some of them have asked to be repatriated.
In Dubai, Cacdac said about 80 to 100 OFWs have sought to be repatriated.
They were transported first to safer grounds due to many cancelled flights, he added.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 2 million OFWs in the Middle East as of 2025. | GB/PNA
