MANILA – Even as Israel lowered its alert level and opened its skies for flights, the Philippine government is continuing the repatriation of Filipino workers in the state, in Iran and neighboring Middle East countries.

In fact, 74 overseas Filipino workers from Israel are set to return to the country this week as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assured continuous repatriation efforts despite the lowering of the alert level following a ceasefire in the region.

 OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said that while the Department of Foreign Affairs has downgraded the alert level in Israel to Alert Level 2, the government’s monitoring and assistance remain in place for OFWs who wish to come home.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) also assured  that repatriation efforts for OFWs in Israel will continue, even as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has lowered the conflict alert level from 3 to 2.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency is committed to assisting those who wish to come home, those choosing to stay and those preparing to return to their employers.

Meanwhile, eight OFWs from Iran have returned to Manila, she said.

“Gusto ko i-assure ang ating mga kababayan na kahit meron tayong ceasefire ngayon, kahit na ibinaba ang alert level, ay patuloy na nag-monitor ang gobyerno sa sitwasyon sa gitnang silangan (I want to assure everyone that even though we have a ceasefire now, even though the alert level has been lowered, the government continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East).”

Caunan said that of the nearly 30,000 Filipinos working in Israel, 373 have expressed interest in returning home since June 23.

However, only 26 have already been repatriated, as Caunan admits that there are those who opted to stay due to various reasons.

She said that in case they finally decide to come home, the government is always ready to assist them.

Caunan added that aside from Israel, OWWA continuously receive inquiries from OFWs in other parts of the Middle East, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait, about possible repatriation and support programs.

“Patuloy naman ang repatriation program, iyong ordinary repatriation para sa mga may problema talaga, mga distressed workers, araw-araw naman yan tinutulungan ng OWWA at DMW (The repatriation program continues, the ordinary repatriation for those those who really have problems, the distressed workers, they are being helped by OWWA and the DMW),” she said.

Caunan said over 440 OFWs in Israel have received assistance, including psychosocial counselling, accommodation, food packs, and financial aid, through the joint efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, the Migrant Workers Office, Labor Attachés, and OWWA Welfare Officers.

Returning OFWs also receive medical help and referrals from the Department of Health, which covers expenses in certain cases and provides free treatment for those with serious illnesses like cancer.

To help them start anew and reintegrate, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is offering vouchers for upskilling while the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Migrant Workers assist them in job-matching so they can find another job.