The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) outlined the criteria for evacuating overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
During the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers hearing on Friday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government prioritizes Filipinos located near areas hit by missile and drone attacks when determining who will be evacuated first.
“We have been carefully monitoring the areas attacked by Iranian drones and missiles in every country… and the surrounding areas where the Filipinos are will be the first to be taken out,” Cacdac said.
He added that repatriation requests, medical conditions and humanitarian considerations are also taken into account, with cases in the same risk category possibly processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
READ: Nearly 300 Filipinos affected by Middle East conflict arrive in Manila
Committee chairperson Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the government must ensure clear guidelines for repatriation as more Filipinos seek assistance to leave conflict-affected areas.
“Importanteng mapag-usapan natin kung papaano natin sila mapapa-uwi at papaano natin sila sasaluhin dito sa Pilipinas (It is important that we discuss how we can bring them home and how we will receive them here in the Philippines),” Tulfo said.
Tulfo said the government must also prepare for the possible return of large numbers of Filipino workers affected by the crisis.
“Once they come home, what is in store for them? Dito pumapasok ang kahalagahan ng reintegration (Once they come home, what is in store for them? This is where reintegration becomes important),” he said.
Cacdac assured lawmakers that OFWs who feel unsafe may seek help from Philippine embassies and Migrant Workers Offices, which can coordinate with employers to move workers to embassy shelters if necessary.
As of March 4, more than 1,400 Filipinos in the Middle East have requested repatriation and a total of 2,012 were served by the DMW amid the ongoing conflict in the region. (PNA)