Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera (File photo courtesy of Rep. Herrera's office)
MANILA – A party-list lawmaker on Friday backed the bid of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for a seat at the United Nations (UN) Security Council to further safeguard the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across the globe.
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera said a UN Security Council seat would help the Philippine government improve diplomatic ties and ensure OFW protection especially amid current conflicts in various parts of the world.
Herrera expressed hope for a ceasefire between Israeli forces and the Hamas Islamist group to enable a UN-led evacuation of civilians.
"Let us hope and pray for a negotiated ceasefire so humanitarian aid and safe evacuations of civilians, especially the wounded, elderly, and children can take place under the supervision of the United Nations," Herrera said.
She added that relocation of OFWs in Israel is more feasible than mandatory repatriation, as they would continue earning to support their families living in the Philippines.
"Kaunti lang ang gustong umuwi, karamihan ayaw nilang umalis, at kung kailangan lumikas, relocation lang sa karatig-bansa. Hindi na po bago iyan at kailangan nating unawain ang ating mga kababayang OFWs (Only a few want to go home. Most of them don't want to leave, and if they have to evacuate, it's just relocation to a nearby country. That's not entirely new and we have to understand our OFWs)," she said.
"Kasi doon sa abroad, tuloy ang kanilang trabaho at kita. Pangamba nila na mahirapan sila maghanap ng trabaho dito sa Pilipinas na kayang pantayan ang sweldo nila sa Israel—bagama’t mayroong financial at livelihood assistance ang OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration] para sa kanila (They would continue working and earning overseas. They're worried that they would have a hard time finding a job here in the Philippines that could be at par with the salary they receive in Israel--despite the financial and livelihood assistance offered by the OWWA for them)," she added.
Speaker Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, vowed to extend assistance to the Filipino fatalities in the recent conflict in Israel, noting that he would make a joint personal donation of PHP1 million with Tingog Partylist Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez to aid the affected families.
Romualdez also emphasized his commitment to finding sources for livelihood opportunities and scholarships, ensuring that the bereaved families will be provided the necessary assistance in rebuilding their lives.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of our countrymen. In these trying times, it's crucial for us as a nation to come together and support one another. The donation is just a small token of our shared grief and our commitment to help," Romualdez said.
He expressed confidence that the government is doing everything it can to ensure the safety, welfare and well-being of Filipinos in Israel.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. earlier said the Philippines is now working closely with their Israeli counterparts to ensure the safety of the OFWs and the Filipino community in the war-torn country.
According to the President, the government will immediately conduct the necessary repatriation efforts for affected Filipinos in Israel when the Israeli government starts to open “humanitarian corridors.”
House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chairperson Ron Salo, meanwhile, reiterated his push for the creation of a dedicated Crisis Management and Response Task Force to deal with the situation.
"This task force will closely monitor the situation and implement a swift and comprehensive response, ensuring the safety and welfare of our kababayans caught in the crossfire and providing the necessary support and assistance for their immediate evacuation and repatriation when needed," Salo said.
Salo also emphasized the importance of upholding international humanitarian law to protect the rights and dignity of civilians in conflict zones, as stated in the Geneva Conventions.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has earlier confirmed the death of a 42-year-old man from Pampanga, captured by Hamas militants, and a 33-year-old woman from Pangasinan, killed alongside her employer during a coordinated militant attack near the Gaza Strip.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega also confirmed that a third Filipino has been killed following the brutal Hamas attack on south Israel, identifying the victim as a 49-year-old Filipino woman from Negros Occidental who was working as a caregiver.
Alert Level 2 is currently in place in Israel while Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation has been raised in Gaza.
To date, there are 92 Filipinos who requested to be evacuated from Gaza. (PNA)
