PH repat for Filipinos in Israel continues; 13 more return home

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

SUPPORT CONTINUES. Representatives of the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other agencies welcome 13 Filipino workers from Israel at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City on Friday (July 4, 2025). The group availed of the government’s repatriation program following the Iran-Israel conflict. (Photo: Department of Migrant Workers/Facebook)

MANILA – The government repatriation program for Filipinos who want to return home from Israel continued with the latest batch of 13 hotel workers and caregivers arriving home Friday.

“Another batch of 13 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel returned home safely on July 4, 2025, at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal 1, reflecting the whole-of-government team’s continued efforts on assisting distressed workers in the Middle East,” the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday.

Upon arrival, the OFWs underwent health checks and received immediate financial assistance as a safety net, including from the DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s emergency repatriation fund, social and welfare development assistance, and training vouchers.

The DMW said the broad support is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide a comprehensive reintegration assistance to returning OFWs from Israel.

Josephine Sanglitan Sandoi, one of the repatriated caregivers, left Israel after almost two decades.

She wad part of a group of workers who were taking cover inside a shelter when a missile struck nearby.

The new batch was welcomed by DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay and Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Galias, OWWA Deputy Administrator Ryan Uy, Department of Social Welfare and Development representatives, and the airport medical team.

“Hindi madali ang inyong pinagdaanan sa ibang bansa lalo na sa gitna ng kaguluhan, kaya naman sisiguraduhin namin na mabibigyan kayo ng sapat na tulong at suporta sa inyong reintegration (What you went through abroad was not easy, especially in the middle of a conflict, which is why we will ensure that you are given enough support for reintegration),” Tutay said.

“Wala na pong iniisip ang ating mahal na Pangulo kundi ang inyong kaligtasan (All our President thinks about is your safety).”

Based on the latest data from the Philippine Embassy in Israel, a total of 47 OFWs have so far availed of the voluntary repatriation flight of the government following Israel’s assault on Iran last month.