The Negros Occidental provincial government has set up a help desk and will provide assistance to Negrense overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who may be distressed and displaced by the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, June 17.
The continued exchange of air strikes between Israel and Iran has prompted at least 109 OFWs to express their intent to return home, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac said on Tuesday.
One Filipina was critically injured in an Iranian air strike and remained at a hospital in Israel, he said.
Israel and Iran were trading air strikes for the fifth day on Tuesday. At least 224 people have been killed in Iran and 24 in Israel since the hostilities begam, CNN reported.
Lacson said he is hoping world leaders can broker a peace settlement between Israel and Iran before the conflict further escalates.
Karen Dinsay, Negros Occidental Public Employment Service Office head, said the provincial government’s help desk, is ready to assist Negrense OFWs from Iran, Israel and Jordan.
So far they have not received any word from the DMW of Negrenses wanting to be voluntarily repatriated, she said.
Their relatives may visit the help desk at the provincial Capitol in Bacolod or call 034-4767230 or 09989569037, she said.
The provincial government will provide distressed and displaced OFWs who return to Negros with financial assistance of P5,000 and food assistance, she added.*