ILOILO CITY — The provincial government of Iloilo has reactivated a help desk to help Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in war-torn Israel.
A HELP desk at the Iloilo provincial capitol is open to families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the conflict in Israel. (Tara Yap)
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. ordered the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Provincial Civil Defense Office (ProCiD Office) to manage the help desk.
“We are here to assist those in times of crisis,” said Francisco Heler Jr., PESO chief.
With “Task Force Bulig Ilonggo,” Heler said that the help desk is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week physically and online.
Task Force Bulig Ilonggo has created a social media account for easier access to OFWs or their families in Iloilo.
Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the provincial government is closely coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on the situation.
Banias added that the Iloilo provincial government can help facilitate communication between national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) of the 42 towns and component city of Passi when the need arises.
The Iloilo provincial government adopted in 2022 the ordinance that institutionalized the Iloilo Provincial Overseas Filipinos Migration and Development Center under PESO. The ordinance was principally authored by Provincial Board Member Rolando Distura.