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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DILG: PH delegates arrive home safely after completion of agri study tour in war-torn Israel

DILG: PH delegates arrive home safely after completion of agri study tour in war-torn Israel

Published Jun 27, 2025 01:49 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
A 21-member Philippine delegation attending an agriculture study tour in Israel arrived safely in the Philippines after completing the training despite being confined in a bunker following the flurry of bombs fired by Iran in the host country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Friday, June 27.
In the face of the harrowing ordeal, the group stressed that they still brought home valuable insights on sustainability, food security, and livestock production learnings that can help strengthen local programs.
Composed of representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), and various local government units (LGUs), the group was originally scheduled to return to the country in two batches on June 13 and June 20. 
However, when conflict erupted between Israel and Iran, flights were canceled and airspace closures left the Philippine delegation temporarily stranded.
The Philippine delegation was in Israel upon the invitation of the Israeli government for a study tour on agricultural innovation, dairy production, and cattle raising.
According to DILG Region 1 Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr., who was part of the delegation, their group was among several batches of Filipinos assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Israel. 
Hindi kami ‘yung unang pinalabas ng embahada natin from Israel (We were not the first batch released by our embassy in Israel), Leusen said, noting that three Filipinos had been released ahead of the group. The embassy has been conducting government-assisted repatriations since October last year, he shared.
Through continuous coordination with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine embassies in Israel and Jordan, the delegates were safely evacuated to Jordan, then flew to Dubai, before finally arriving home in the Philippines.
In a DZRH interview, Lupi, Camarines Sur Mayor Lilian Matamorosa, who was also with the group, shared her experience of hearing multiple missile and bomb alerts and being forced to take shelter during heightened threats.
Kailangang tumakbo ka na agad. ‘Wag mo nang hintayin ang sirena pa bago ka gumalaw at tumakbo papunta doon sa bomb shelter. Kailangan naka-ready ang Go Bag mo. Kung nasaan ang passport, ang lahat ng kailangan mo, gamot, kung ano. ‘Yun lang ang bibitbitin mo. Pero ‘yung mga maleta mo, maiiwan lang sa kwarto (You need to run immediately. Don’t wait for the siren before you move and head to the bomb shelter. Your Go Bag must be ready, where your passport is, all your essentials, medicines, and whatever else you need. That’s the only thing you’ll bring. But your suitcases, they’ll have to be left in the room), Matamorosa pointed out.
May mga time naman po na mahina na ‘yung putok pero may mga time talaga na malalakas talaga po at nagsisigaw po kami sa loob ng bunker. Parang sa takot namin, napapasigaw (There were times when the explosions were faint, but there were also moments when they’re really loud, and we end up screaming inside the bunker. It’s like we scream out of fear), she added.
Kahit may bombahan na doon (Israel), kahit may giyera na, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang aming training at seminar. Hindi lang po namin napuntahan ang mga farms na sana ay napuntahan namin (Even though there were bombings and war happening there (in Israel), our training and seminars continued. We just weren’t able to visit the farms that we were supposed to go to), Matamorosa maintained.
She expressed hope to replicate Israel’s best practices in agriculture with the national government’s support.
Earlier, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla stressed that the Philippine government ensured the safe return of the delegates upon the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. 
Ang instruction po ni PBBM ay basta lahat ng Pilipino ay mahalaga po ang buhay. Talagang 24/7 nakamonitor tayo hanggang sa sila ay makauwi nang ligtas, (PBBM’s instruction is that every Filipino life is important. We are monitoring the situation 24/7 until they all return home safely), Remulla said.
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