The provincial government of Iloilo has initiated “Operation Bulig,” a 24/7 hotline designed to assist Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families affected by the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
“Since the start of the crisis, we are coordinating with our barangay PESO coordinators, municipal PESO managers, plus our OFW associations to inform us if they happen to have relatives or know of anyone in stricken areas,” said Iloilo Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Cynthia Dario in an interview on Monday. “Operation Bulig Ilonggo” was established through Executive Order 2020-004.
Dario noted that they are closely working with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under the direction of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias.
Relatives of OFWs in Israel seeking assistance are encouraged to call or text the following numbers: 0998-990-5663, 0917-754-3833, 0961-680-4428, 0910-005-4682, and 0916-758-3156.
During the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023, PESO profiled approximately 200 Ilonggos residing in Israel. Recent reports indicate that Iranian missiles struck multiple locations in central and northern Israel, resulting in eight fatalities and injuring 208 others. Around 50 rockets were fired at central Israel in the latest wave of attacks, with rockets landing in the Bat Yam and Rehovot areas near Tel Aviv, killing four people, according to Israeli media.