Iloilo: The provincial and city governments of Iloilo, through their respective Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), have profiled 250 Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) currently in the Middle East. Iloilo City PESO Manager Gab Umadhay, in a media interview on Monday, emphasized that they are closely monitoring 119 OFWs who are residents of the city. These workers are distributed across several countries, including 17 in Israel, two in Oman, 28 in Qatar, six in the United Arab Emirates, one in Bahrain, 32 in Kuwait, 29 in Saudi Arabia, and four in Jerusalem.
According to Philippines News Agency, most OFWs reported being in safe conditions despite proximity to conflict areas. Umadhay noted, "Most are saying they are in safe conditions. They said they are also near bombing areas, but when we asked if they wanted to come home, their response was: they were not ready," indicating that the OFWs are generally okay. However, an OFW in Bahrain faced repatriation due to an employer issue, which was delayed by a flight cancellation. In such cases, the Department of Migrant Workers will process and handle logistical needs, with the city government assisting their return to Iloilo upon arrival in Manila.
Umadhay also mentioned plans to create WhatsApp and Telegram accounts to facilitate communication for OFWs in regions where Facebook access is restricted. "Within the day, our WhatsApp and Telegram accounts are ready for queries of migrant workers with no access to Facebook messenger," he said. Although no Ilonggo OFWs have been recorded in red zones such as Iran, the possibility of their presence in these areas remains.
From the provincial perspective, Provincial PESO Manager Cynthia Dario reported that 128 Ilonggos from various towns in the province are working in the Middle East. Of these, 123 declared themselves safe, while five reported being unsafe due to their proximity to U.S. naval bases. Dario explained that these workers are not allowed to venture outside due to the current situation.
Since February 28, the provincial government has maintained 24/7 emergency hotlines for assistance and monitoring. Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has urged Ilonggo OFWs to stay informed and follow Philippine Embassy advisories, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm and prepared for emergencies. Approximately 57,000 residents of the province have been deployed to work in the Middle East.
Dario assured that they are prepared to assist with repatriation requests by coordinating with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. "We will serve as their bridge. So far, there are no requests for repatriation," she stated.
