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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Government repatriates 18 OFWs affected by Israel-Iran conflict

Government repatriates 18 OFWs affected by Israel-Iran conflict

Published Jun 16, 2025 11:59 am  |  Updated Jun 16, 2025 01:09 pm

At A Glance

  • The 18 OFWs were supposed to work in Israel and in Jordan but they were stranded in Dubai due to shutdown of major airports in the Middle East
Eighteen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were supposed to go to Tel Aviv and Amman in Jordan were transported back to the country as part of the ongoing repatriation for Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac personally welcomed the 18 OFWs who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Monday morning, June 16.
“We stand continually ready to assist and support our OFWs who wish to go home for safety and security. That is the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to help our kababayans, our OFWs, who are affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East,” said Cacdac.
The 18 OFWs were supposed to work in Israel and in Jordan but they were stranded since the air assault launched by Israel against Iran that eventually resulted in missile attacks by Iran against Israel.
The conflict between the two countries resulted in the temporary shutdown of major airports and in the case of the 18 OFWs, Cacdac said they were stranded in Dubai.
Cacdac, however, said that the DMW, through its Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai, has provided all the necessary assistance to the stranded OFWs until they were able to secure the flight back to Manila.
“The repatriated OFWs received immediate financial support through the DMW AKSYON Fund, airport assistance and other necessary support from the DMW and OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration),” said Cacdac.
“The DMW, through its National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), will also assist the OFWs for their upskilling and sustainable reintegration, including livelihood assistance or skills training enhancement for redeployment options,” he added.
24/7 monitoring
Cacdac said the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have been monitoring the situation in the Middle East in order to come up with the best measures to assist the affected OFWs.
The DMW also urged all OFWs in Israel and Iran to remain indoors and stay alert, and stay connected with the Philippine Embassy or MWOs in their respective host countries.
“OFWs are also advised to refrain from spreading or sharing unverified information which may cause unnecessary panic and confusion,” said Cacdac.
Hotlines
Cacdac said the DMW and OWWA already set up its 24/7 Middle East Help Desk for OFWs and families of OFWs who are affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Cacdac said OFWs and OFW families who needed immediate assistance and support may call the DMW-OWWA 1348 hotline and for those abroad, may dial +632 1348.
Specific emergency contact numbers of DMW Migrant Workers’ Offices (MWOs) in Israel, Lebanon and Jordan are as follows:
Israel
Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv: +972 54-4661188
MWO: +972 50-7622590
OWO: +972 50-7156937
Lebanon
Philippine Embassy in Beirut: +961 70 858 086
MWO in Beirut: +961 79 110 729
Jordan
Philippine Embassy in Amman: +962 7 7907 7775 ;
+962 7 7721 9000
MWO in Amman: +962 7 8149 1183 ; +962 7 8519 1891
OFWs who are affected by flight cancellations, delays, and rerouting across the region may seek support from the 1348 Hotline or the above-stated MWO numbers.
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