DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia speaks at a news forum discussing the agency’s plans for overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East as tensions rise between Israel and Iran.
Photo Courtesy of Kimberly Anne Ojeda
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its Middle East offices are on heightened alert as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, placing thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at potential risk.
DMW Undersecretary for Licensing and Adjudication Services Bernard Olalia said on Saturday that Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and nearby countries are on standby to provide 24/7 rescue operations, including food, shelter, temporary lodging, and repatriation.
Families of OFWs can call the 1348 DMW hotline for updates, or reach out to Philippine embassies and MWOs in affected countries. Contact lines have also been made available via Viber and WhatsApp.
“OFWs and their families may call if you wish to know or monitor the situation in the said area and the predicament of your fellow Filipinos in the city of Israel, Tel Aviv, and other neighboring countries,” Olalia said.
Although Israeli and Iranian airspace is currently closed, the DMW is exploring alternate land routes for evacuation through neighboring safe countries. Chartered flights are also being considered, similar to repatriation efforts in Lebanon in 2024.
“If air repatriation isn’t possible, we will proceed with land repatriation. We will pass through neighboring countries that remain open, provided it’s safe for our OFWs to travel through them under humanitarian grounds,” he added.
In the case of flight cancellations, the department will take over the logistics to ensure affected OFWs can return home safely. An option being considered is the use of chartered flights, which has been implemented in previous repatriation efforts such as the repatriation of OFWs from Lebanon last October 2024.
There are roughly 20,000 Filipinos in Israel — 13,000 documented and about 6,000 undocumented — working in caregiving, hospitality, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Olalia acknowledged some OFWs hesitate to return home due to job security concerns. He assured that returning workers will be supported under the government’s full-cycle reintegration program, including upskilling, livelihood assistance, and job referrals through TESDA, DOLE, DTI, and LGUs.
“Where TESDA, DOLE, DTI, and all agencies will help you with skills or what we call upskilling; second, if you want to find work, there’s a livelihood program. For local employment, we will refer you to the LGUs (local government units).”
The DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) also issued a joint advisory urging OFWs in high-risk areas to stay in safe locations and maintain communication with Philippine authorities.
OFWs seeking assistance may contact the following numbers through Viber/WhatsApp:
+63 908 326 8344
+63 927 147 8186
+63 920 517 1059
They may also reach out to their respective MWOs:
ISRAEL
Embassy in Tel Aviv: +972 54 466 1188
MWO: +972 50 762 2590
OWO: +972 50 715 6937
LEBANON
Embassy in Beirut: +961 70 858 086
MWO: +961 79 110 729
JORDAN
MWO in Amman: +962 7 8149 1183 ; +962 7 8519 1891
DMW 24/7 hotline numbers for OFWs and families in the Philippines:
Philippines: 1348
Outside Philippines: +632 1348
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