Government prepares for mass OFW evacuation in Middle East

MANILA, Philippines, March 3 ------ There is no mandatory repatriation yet, but the government is prepared for a massive evacuation of Filipinos should hostilities worsen in the Middle East, a Cabinet official said.

At a Palace briefing, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said up to 100 Filipinos in Dubai, United Arab Emirates have so far expressed their intention to return home. A luxury hotel in Dubai was hit as Iran launched strikes across the Middle East in retaliation for a “massive” and ongoing attack against it by the US and Israel on Saturday.

Four people were reportedly wounded in an “incident” at Dubai International Airport – a major transport hub, in the early hours of Sunday. “So, the scale of those who want to come home is not yet that high. But then again, you want to be sure that (the government) is ready for a bigger volume,” Cacdac said.

Middle East hosts an estimated 2.2 million Filipino workers, many of whom are based in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. Asked whether the government could mount a massive repatriation at that scale, Cacdac said: “We are ready for such an eventuality and with the proper resources, the private sector as well as the public sector resources in terms of transport, by sea, by air or by land.”

He gave assurance that the government has sufficient contingency funds. “We are coordinated with the Office of the President, with the President, with the Executive Secretary in terms of possible other funding requirements,” he added.

For now, Cacdac said the government is prioritizing in-country assistance for affected overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Currently, Gaza, Syria and Yemen are under Alert Level 4 (mandatory evacuation phase). Iraq and Lebanon are under Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation phase). Iran, Israel, West Bank and Kurdistan are under Alert Level 2 (restriction phase) while Jordan is under Alert Level 1 (precautionary phase).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has so far not raised any alert levels for UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. Cacdac said repatriation could not yet be done, as the UAE airspace remains closed. However, meeting and exit points as well as relocation sites have been identified per country.

During an emergency meeting with concerned agencies on Sunday, Sen. Raffy Tulfo sought assurance regarding the availability of the government’s sea and air assets. Tulfo said contingency plans must be in place should tensions further escalate. He also asked Cacdac to monitor Filipino tourists who maybe stranded at airports. The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed the availability of a C-130 in case of mass repatriation.

Repatriation of OFW’s remains set

The DMW chief said the government is arranging the repatriation of the remains of Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, the Filipina caregiver killed in an airstrike in Israel. He said financial assistance will be extended to De Vera’s family through the Aksyon Fund, while funeral and burial assistance will be given by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The Israel embassy in Manila, in a statement, condoled with the family of De Vera. The provincial government of Pangasinan also extended its condolences to De Vera’s family. The OFW was a native of Basista town. Another OFW sustained a minor injury due to a drone attack on Kuwait International Airport. Cacdac said the Filipino was discharged from the hospital on Sunday. No Filipino has so far been reported killed or injured in Iran, Philippine Ambassador to Iran Robert Manalo said yesterday. There are around 800 Filipinos in Iran, most of who are working in restaurants and hotels.

Deployment ban

Cacdac said the Philippine government may impose a deployment ban, especially for newly hired workers, under Alert Level 2. Under Alert Level 3, the government imposes a total deployment ban, including returning workers, he said.

Source: philstar.com