A total deployment ban for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Israel and Iran is set to be enforced by the Philippine government, following the escalation of conflict between the two Middle Eastern nations.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed the impending ban after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised Alert Level 3 in both countries, triggering the automatic suspension of worker deployment under government protocol.
“We note the pronouncement by the DFA… if it’s Alert Level 3, that will mean a total deployment ban,” Cacdac said in a virtual press briefing on Sunday night.
The decision comes after the Philippine government earlier issued advisories warning Filipinos against traveling to conflict-hit areas, particularly Israel and Jordan, following a series of missile exchanges between Israel and Iran.
Despite the mounting unrest, Cacdac assured that the government remains committed to protecting the welfare of Filipinos abroad. He said the Department of Migrant Workers will provide repatriation support and financial assistance to affected OFWs, including Filipino seafarers in Iranian ports.
“Yes, we are fully aware of the situation and… we have assistance also to be provided to OFWs there,” he added.
Cacdac is currently overseeing the repatriation process and is expected to return to the Philippines with the first batch of 30 repatriated OFWs—26 from Israel, three from Jordan, and one from the West Bank. At least 33 more are on standby for the next round of repatriation.
In Israel, the Philippine government has extended emergency housing to 53 OFWs, some of whom lost their homes due to the recent missile strikes. The embassy in Tel Aviv reported that 127 Filipinos were displaced, with 118 already transferred to temporary shelters and nine others waiting for relocation.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau confirmed that at least 32 Filipinos sought refuge in bomb shelters when Iranian missiles struck. “They were able to go to the bomb shelters. They are all safe,” she said in a radio interview.
As of the latest count, 253 OFWs in Israel have requested repatriation, with 50 confirmed to fly home soon. A total of 375 Filipinos have received various forms of aid, including food, hygiene kits, clothing, and accommodation.
Embassy officials are also preparing alternative evacuation routes, including possible sea travel through Egypt and the Mediterranean, in case the Jordan land passage becomes inaccessible.
