I see rockets all around the skies – Repatriated OFW from Israel
An overseas Filipino worker shared on Tuesday his terrifying experience during the attacks of Hamas militants in Israel.
Guillermo M. Umayam Jr., 34 years old, a resident of Aurora, Isabela, and a hotel worker for one year and five months in Bat Yam, Israel, said that he sees rockets everywhere, where at times, he sees it all falling near their place.
"Every day, we see rockets anywhere in our area, which is near the border. One time during our work, we were inside the bus when we heard a loud siren. We get off the bus to find a place to hide," Guillermo said.
He added that his female co-workers were traumatized by the bombing as they screamed in fear every time they hear a siren.
"My female co-workers are already screaming especially when they hear a loud siren and see a rocket. They even scream when we are on our way to the bomb shelter. My other co-workers try to calm them," Guillermo lamented.
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Guillermo stated that it is the third time he has experienced witnessing real-time conflicts.
"It was the third time I experienced such a thing. It seems quite normal to me, but of course, I was still thinking about my safety because I never know when the bomb will fall. So, I thought it was better to go home," he said.
The OFW said that he has now decided not to go back to Israel even when the situation goes back to normal.
"I have decided not to go back to Israel anymore. I'll just look for another place to work maybe in other countries or just here in the Philippines," he added.
The Department of Migrant Workers, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health welcomed the 42 OFWs plus an infant at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, via an Etihad Airways flight.
The Department of Migrant Workers provides immediate financial assistance worth Php 50,000 to each OFW returning from Israel, along with comprehensive reintegration assistance and job facilitation services for other employment opportunities.
Aside from the financial assistance from the DMW, each OFW returnee also received Php 50,000 in financial assistance from OWWA, Php 20,000 in livelihood assistance from DSWD, and Php 5,000 from TESDA.
The DOH also provided medical assistance to all the OFW returnees upon their arrival.
