The Philippine government is accelerating efforts to bring home overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) caught in the worsening Israel-Iran conflict, as the number of those seeking repatriation surges, officials said Thursday.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced that 178 OFWs in Israel have formally requested to return, up sharply from 85 just days after Iran’s recent missile strikes. “We’re hopeful the number will grow,” Cacdac told reporters, noting the voluntary repatriation trend is gaining momentum.
The government is preparing the first batch of returnees, though Cacdac withheld operational details for security reasons. “Rest assured, these OFWs will be brought home safely and swiftly,” he said.
Israel remains under Alert Level 2, meaning repatriation is voluntary, with no mandatory order issued. However, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed agencies to mobilize resources and stay on high alert to support affected Filipinos.
Since hostilities began in October 2023, the DMW, alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), has repatriated nearly 4,000 OFWs—roughly 2,000 each from Israel and Lebanon. Many are caregivers whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
“Even if displaced, many still reside with employers or friends,” Cacdac said. “For those needing shelter, we are ready to accommodate them.”
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said teams are actively reaching out to OFWs requesting aid, providing food, temporary housing, and financial support while arranging safe returns.
About 75 to 80 percent of OFWs in Israel are caregivers, making repatriation a deeply personal choice, Cacdac noted. The government is also coordinating the return of 14 OFWs from Iran and working with embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
Each returning OFW will receive 150,000 pesos ($2,600) in financial aid, split between the DMW’s Action Fund and OWWA’s Emergency Repatriation Fund, to cover roughly two months of lost income and support reintegration.
Cacdac emphasized a “whole-of-government” approach, with parallel programs to aid returnees. The Department of Labor and Employment is helping OFWs find local jobs, while the Departments of Trade and Industry, Tourism, Agriculture, Social Welfare and Development, and Health offer livelihood training, counseling, and medical support.
Recruitment agencies with workers in the region have been placed on “red alert” and must submit contingency plans, monitor worker welfare, and coordinate with authorities or face penalties.
Filipinos abroad can seek help via the DMW-OWWA email (israel@owwa.gov.ph), hotline 1348, or official social media platforms.
“This is about getting our people out of harm’s way,” Cacdac said. “Whether they’re coming home for good or temporarily, we will protect and help them rebuild.”
