ILOILO CITY – Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from this city and Iloilo province are being monitored as tensions escalate between Israel and Hamas.
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)
The Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Iloilo province and PESO-Iloilo City are keeping an eye on 206 Ilonggo OFWs as of Saturday, October 14, majority of who are from Iloilo.
Jayrel Encontro, labor and employment officer of PESO-Iloilo, said the number of these OFWs were reported by 26 local government units (LGUs) in the province.
Cynthia Parcon Dario, supervising labor and employment officer PESO-Iloilo, said the town of Maasin has the most number with 50, followed by 15 from Leon, Tubungan, 12; Lambunao, 10; Oton and Tigbauan, nine each; Passi City, eight; seven each from Badiangan, San Joaquin, and Santa Barbara; six each from Ajuy and Miag-ao;
Five each from Barotac Nuevo, Calinog, Cabatuan, and Zarraga; Batad and Janiuay, four each; Balasan and Guimbal, three each; and Anilao, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, New Lucena, and Sara, one each.
The PESO-Iloilo City led by Gab Umadhay said 21 OFWs from this city are being monitored with only one expressing intention to go home.
PESO-Iloilo and PESO-Iloilo City are closely coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for any OFW from Iloilo who wants to be repatriated.