Senator Raffy Tulfo called for continued prayers for the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) still in Israel during his visit to Bacolod City on Sunday, October 15.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration data shows that there are 231 OFWs from Negros Occidental and Bacolod City based in Israel, Jojo Amugod, head of the Negros Occidental provincial government Migrant Resource Center, said.
There are 222 who are land based and nine who are sea based, he said.
Of the 231, he said 64 are from Bacolod.
“I pray that the war in Israel will finally stop so that no more lives will be lost and no more innocent civilians will suffer”, Tulfo said.
In a statement issued earlier, Tulfo said he extends his condolences to the bereaved families of the OFWs who died in Israel.
One of the three fatalities is Loreta Alacre from Barangay Cadiz Viejo in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
“As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, my office already coordinated with the Department of Migrant Workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that assistance is provided to their families”, Tulfo said.
“I am also ensuring that the government will provide assistance to the affected Filipino communities in Israel for their safety, including speeding up the repatriation of OFWs who have expressed their intent to return home to the Philippines,” he added.
Since many OFWs lost their jobs in Israel, he said his office already coordinated with the government to ensure that those affected will be given job opportunities in the Philippines if they cannot return to their workplaces in Israel.
Meanwhile, Tulfo pledged to collaborate with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez in addressing concerns of Bacolod that need action on the national level.
Tulfo joined the mayor on the program “Isugid Kay Mayor” aired on FMR Bacolod 91.1 on Sunday morning.
The senator noted that he was receiving less complaints from Bacolodnons since residents now have a venue to directly bring their complaints to the mayor.
However, he can continue to provide assistance especially to those who need help on the national level, Tulfo said.
Tulfo thanked the Bacolodnons who made him the No. 1 senator in the city and congratulated Bacolod on its celebration of the MassKara Festival.*