Senate Committee Migrant Workers chairperson Raffy Tulfo vowed support to recently repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers from Israel.
Tulfo made this commitment after meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs officials and some lawmakers on Wednesday, to discuss the current situation of overseas Filipinos amid the ongoing armed conflict between the Israeli government and the militant group Hamas.
Some 17 Israel-based OFWs arrived in the country from 16 to 18 October.
Tulfo said the senate panel, in close coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and DFA, and other concerned government agencies, continues to monitor the conflict-affected Filipino community in Gaza, Israel, and those currently in the West Bank.
"May contingency plan na din ang gobyerno sakaling mas lumala ang sitwasyon sa rehiyon (The government has contingency plan should the situation in the region would further escalate)," he added.
The senator said a number of remaining OFWs in Israel have also expressed willingness to be repatriated to the Philippines.
"Gagawin ang lahat ng gobyerno para masigurong ligtas at maayos na makakabalik ang mga OFW dito sa Pilipinas (The government will make sure the safe return of our OFWs here in Philippines)," he said.
Tulfo said cash aid will be provided to the repatriated OFWs, while their children will get scholarship assistance from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
"Kaisa ako sa pagdarasal para sa kaligtasan ng mga Pinoy na naipit sa kaguluhan sa Israel," he said.