DMW: ‘We have more than enough’ funds to repatriate Israel OFWs

Department of Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac said the department's Aksyon fund, which aims to assist overseas Filipino workers, is more than enough to assist Filipino repatriates affected by the conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

"We have spent P600 million under the Aksyon fund. There is underutilization because we started spending in April due to administrative constraints. But we will do better next year," Cacdac said Monday during the arrival of the 11th batch of repatriates from Israel.

"We join forces with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and other government agencies. We have more than enough in our funds, the budget is not an issue at all. It is really a matter of mobilizing the resources to reach the right beneficiaries at the right time," Cacdac added. 

Twenty-seven OFWs returned from Israel via Etihad Airways flight EY424 and arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 3:15 p.m. The group consisted of 25 caregivers and two hotel workers. 

Cacdac said the total number of repatriates from Israel is now at 362, while 61 OFWs have been repatriated from Lebanon.

The OIC also reported that the remains of a slain Filipino in Israel, Paul Castelvi, will arrive before Christmas.