43 Filipinos Working in Gaza to Begin Returning Home on Sunday

Jerusalem, 4 November, 2023 (TPS) -- MANILA, Nov. 4, 2023 (PNA)
Forty-three Filipinos from Gaza are coming home in two batches starting Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

At a news forum in Quezon City, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo de Vega said the 43 migrant Filipinos will be arriving with their children.

The first batch, consisting of 20, will be coming home Sunday.

The remaining 23 are expected to arrive either Monday or Tuesday.

De Vega said the Filipinos, married to Palestinians, are living and working in Gaza.

As soon as they arrive, the government through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) would provide accommodation and transportation.

De Vega added that they would also be provided with other assistance as ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The soon-to-be repatriated Filipinos are part of the 134 who got stranded in the war-torn Gaza Strip. They have been granted permission to cross the Rafah border.

However, De Vega also said not all Filipinos in Gaza will evacuate after their Palestinian spouses were not allowed to exit.

He assured the Philippine government would continue to work with relevant authorities to facilitate their spouses’ exit.

Additionally, De Vega said 50 Filipinos working in Israel will arrive on Monday and Tuesday.