Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Saturday expressed deep gratitude to the Philippine Embassy in Israel and other government agencies for ensuring the safe return of four Department of Agriculture (DA) officials who were stranded in Israel following renewed tensions with Iran.

“We welcome back home the DA delegation led by Assistant Secretary Benjamin Albarece, who went to Israel on a mission to study the Israeli dairy industry. We are happy that all of you are safely back with your families and the DA family,” Tiu Laurel said.

Joining Albarece on the study mission were Philippine Carabao Center executive director Liza Battad and National Dairy Authority officials Rowena Bautista and Angelica Escanilla.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered various government agencies to assist Filipinos living and working in both Israel and Iran who wish to return home amid the escalating conflict.

The delegation was initially set to return to the Philippines on June 14 after a week-long study mission, but their flight was canceled due to regional airspace disruptions and mounting uncertainty caused by the hostilities.

While stranded, the DA officials were housed at Hotel Kibbutz Shefayim in central Israel, where they endured multiple missile and bomb alerts during their extended stay. Despite the tense situation, the Philippine Embassy in Israel, in coordination with MASHAV—Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation — acted swiftly to secure their safety and arrange their immediate repatriation.

The study mission forms part of the DA’s broader efforts to explore global best practices in dairy production and technology, aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ local dairy industry.