MANILA – Sixty overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel, who opted for the Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation program, landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 via an Etihad Airlines flight on Thursday (09 May 2024) afternoon.

Hans Leo Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, personally greeted the returning OFWs, marking a total of 879 OFWs repatriated from Israel, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza since the commencement of repatriation flights amidst the hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas that began in October of the previous year.

Upon arrival, immediate assistance was extended to the repatriated OFWs, including on-site medical evaluations by the Department of Health, financial and comprehensive reintegration support valued at PHP100,000 from the DMW and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, a livelihood grant amounting to PHP20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and skills training vouchers provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Secretary Cacdac mentioned that the majority of the repatriated OFWs from Israel were employed as caregivers and hotel workers.

Among them was Teresita Dagdag, who had served as a caregiver in Israel for 19 years. Dagdag expressed her intention to return home even before the outbreak of conflict the previous year. Despite the turmoil, she remained by the side of her employer, who was hearing impaired, fulfilling the roles of caregiver, guide, and protector.

Reflecting on her decision to stay, Dagdag shared, “My patient was deaf. She did not hear the bombs exploding, so I became her eyes, ears, hands, and feet. Every time the siren went off, she could not hear it. So, even if I already wanted to go home, because of my love for her, I couldn’t leave. It’s our Filipino trait not to abandon those under our care, even in times of war.”

Dagdag recounted how, despite the urgings of her employer’s children to ensure her safety and leave, she chose to stay with her employer until her eventual demise due to Covid-19 in February.

Another repatriated OFW, Irene Pelagio, shared her reasons for returning home, citing a heightened sense of fear amidst the recent escalation of attacks. Pelagio recounted how, in the face of previous attacks, she could still contact her family during sirens or rocket launches. However, the recent attacks, particularly when Iran targeted Jerusalem, instilled a new level of fear, prompting her immediate decision to volunteer for repatriation.

(el Amigo/MNM)