The Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said that there is no deployment ban in Israel despite the ongoing conflict between the Israeli government and the Hamas group.
In the Malacañang Press Briefing, DMW officer in charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac explained that the deployment status is closely tied to the Alert Levels issued by the Philippine government.
"It requires Alert Level Three to impose deployment bans: Alert Level Two for new hires; and Alert Level Three for all types of workers. So, we are not at Alert Level Two yet; therefore, technically, we do not currently have a deployment ban," Cacdac said.
"However, the situation we are facing is that we have a government-to-government hiring agreement with our Israeli counterparts. So, it's a mutual agreement – we need to coordinate effectively with our Israeli Labor and Immigration counterparts before proceeding, even without a ban," Cacdac added.
Cacdac explained that under the Philippines' existing government-to-government employment agreement with Israel, the deployment of hotel workers is subject to suspension, contingent upon the status of Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
He said there is "no impediment" from the Philippines on the deployment of workers. However, he underscored that the country should still assess the situation at the Israeli airport first.
Cacdac added that the country should still determine whether the Philippines can resume the deployment to Israel amid the current situation there.
In the same briefing, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega explained that no alert level has so far been imposed in Israel as there has been no recommendation from the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, so far.
Phl gov't on top of situation
De Vega assured the public that the Philippine government is "on top" of the situation to guarantee the well-being and protection of Filipino citizens amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He emphasized that the DFA would only propose the compulsory evacuation of Filipinos if the situation worsens.
Furthermore, he mentioned that although there isn't a suggestion to declare a crisis alert level in Israel at this time, the government is currently in a proactive stance, making necessary preparations.
De Vega also conveyed his hopeful outlook, anticipating that peace would ultimately prevail amid the ongoing conflict.
