Latest news with #HansLeoCacdac
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Delay OFW deployment to Middle East amid tensions, DMW tells recruitment firms
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday urged private recruitment agencies (PRAs) to delay the deployment of Filipino workers to conflict-affected areas in the Middle East to ensure their safety. In its advisory, DMW reiterated the OFW deployment restrictions in Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. 'Right now, we're on Alert Level 2 in Israel, which means new hires are prohibited, but pwede ang returning,' DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said. 'However, due to the airspace restrictions, it is impossible for them to go, including those bound for Jordan, because they will just be turned back in case of the closure of the airspace,' he added. The advisory mandates PRAs to: • Maintain active communication with employers and foreign partners to verify the location and safety of deployed workers; • Conduct regular welfare checks and submit updated reports through the OFW Welfare Monitoring System; • Develop contingency plans covering evacuation and emergency repatriation; • Shoulder costs of rerouting or rebooking flights for OFWs affected by airspace closures; and • Refrain from processing deployments to Jordan and Israel until clearance is issued. 'When we speak in a regulatory sense, they have to comply. Any agency that continues deployment despite the directive will face penalties,' Cacdac said. 'And yes, 'yong cost of travel hahabulin namin sila doon kung kami ang gumastos sa pagpapauwi (we will charge them the cost of travel because we're the ones paying for it),' he added DMW said that as of June 19, it has assisted 58 stranded OFWs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for repatriation. Of the stranded OFWs, 43 were bound for Israel and 15 for Jordan. DMW also said it met with PRAs in Jordan to explain the current situation and limitations of OFW deployment. 'Handa silang mag-aantay at tumulong sa lahat nang na-stranded nating mga OFWs (they are willing to wait and help the stranded OFWs),' said DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, relaying the response of Jordanian employers. In a Reuters report, Iran and Israel targeted each other with missiles and airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Earlier today, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the 21 stranded Philippine government officials safely crossed into Jordan from Israel. DFA also said the Philippine government is considering raising the alert levels on Israel and Iran as attacks between the two countries continue.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: 18 Filipinos stranded at DXB repatriated home amid Israel-Iran conflict
The Philippine government has successfully repatriated 18 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were stranded at Dubai International Airport. They arrived on June 13 and were supposed to be on their way to work in Israel and Jordan but were stranded in Dubai due to the temporary shutdown of major airports amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Philippine labour attache John Rio Aceveda Bautista told Khaleej Times on Tuesday the OFWs arrived on Friday and were repatriated on June 15. Fifteen of the repatriated OFWs were returning workers to Israel, while three were newly hired workers bound to Jordan. After arriving in Manila on Monday, they were temporarily housed at a hotel, according to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). DMW secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said each OFW received Ph50,000 (Dh3,335) in financial assistance. 'This is not simply aid but a safety net as they have temporarily lost their source of income,' said Cacdac, adding the OFWs will also receive transportation allowance back to their respective home provinces. Meanwhile, Eduardo de Vega, undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the security threat in Israel is classified by the Philippine government as under alert level 2, meaning there are heightened risks to safety and security. 'Mandatory repatriation is based on alert levels,' Cacdac noted. 'We are still coordinating with the DFA and DND (Department of National Defence) on this. But rest assured, we are ready if the situation worsens.' Cacdac said there are about 30,000 OFWs – mostly employed in caregiving, agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing – in Israel. 'It it is difficult to determine how many are in immediate danger without causing unnecessary alarm,' he added. There are approximately more than 1,000 Filipinos in Iran. DFA said there are contingency plans for a possible evacuation route through Turkmenistan. Philippine officials reminded OFWs to monitor official channels for updates and to follow local advisories. After Israel launched strikes on Iran in Friday, several countries, including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel have closed their airspaces for commercial flights. UAE-based airlines immediately announced that customers connecting through UAE with final destinations in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon would not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Pinoy in 'critical' condition after Iran airstrike on Israel
An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is in 'critical" condition after Iran launched missile attacks in Israel. In a Monday interview on 'Balitanghali,' Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the OFW is one of the four Filipinos injured due to the airstrikes. A separate 'Balitanghali' report said that the Filipina was hit in the heart and lungs. Two of the four Filipinos, an OFW and a Filipino with dual citizenship, were already discharged from the hospital. Meanwhile, another OFW is still recovering in the hospital. 'Wala pa kaming kwento in terms kung ano ba talaga yung nangyari except mukhang hindi nakaabot sa shelter itong dalawang napinsala. Ganun muna yung alam namin,' Cacdac said. (We have yet to know what happened, but it seems that the two OFWs did not make it to the shelter. That's what we know so far.) He added that the Philippine government is sheltering 14 Filipinos in Rehovot. 'Sa ngayon, walang matirhan itong at least eight na kababayan natin at (right now, at least eight Filipinos have no homes, so) we have given them temporary accommodation,' Cacdac said. The office of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv is currently closed in accordance with the guidelines of the Israel Defense Forces. Filipinos may still call the following emergency contact numbers in Israel: Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv +972 54-4661188 Migrant Workers' Office +972 50-7622590 Overseas Welfare Office +972 50-7156937 Meanwhile, there have been no reports of Filipinos affected by the missile strikes in Iran. 'Wala pa tayong napabalitaan na OFW, doon sa 30, na adversely affected doon sa Iran,' Cacdac said. (We have not heard of any OFWs, out of the 30, who have been adversely affected in Iran.) 'Nevertheless, we are prepared kung sila'y kailangan ilikas o repatriate (if we need to repatriate them),' he added. The Philippine Embassy in Tehran, Iran also warned Filipinos to avoid going outside due to the airstrike launched by Israel. According to Israeli officials, at least 30 have died while over 300 are injured due to the airstrike launched by Iran that started on Friday. Meanwhile, the Iranian Health Ministry said more than 200 were killed due to Israel's attacks, of which 90% are civilians. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
12-06-2025
- GMA Network
DMW helping 3 OFWs amid Northern Ireland riots
Philippines flags placed on the door of a house, following riots in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, June 11, 2025. REUTERS/ Clodagh Kilcoyne The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday said the agency is assisting three Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) due to the threat of ongoing riots in Northern Ireland. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the concerned OFWs were not hurt but their community was under threat or possibly in danger, according to a report of Super Radyo dzBB's Mark Makalalad. 3 overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sa Northern Ireland, tinutulungan ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) dahil sa nangyaring riot; sitwasyon sa immigration protests sa California, tinututukan din. | via @MMakalalad — DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 12, 2025 The DMW said it is taking steps to ensure the safety of the OFWs. Reuters on Thursday reported that some Filipino families fled from their home in Northern Irish after a night of anti-immigrant violence. Michael Sancio, a resident of Ballymena town, said he woke up Tuesday midnight by masked men banging loudly on windows. Sancio, his wife and daughter, and another couple who share their house grabbed their passports and a few belongings before fleeing their residence. They slept at a friend's house and plan to stay further outside the town because they feel unsafe at their home. Hundreds of masked rioters attacked police and set homes and cars on fire in the town of 30,000 people for a second successive night on Tuesday, Reuters reported. Authorities are investigating the damaging of property as racially-motivated 'hate crimes." The rioting began after two 14-year-old boys were arrested and appeared in court after being accused of a serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in Ballymena. The charges were read to the boys via a Romanian interpreter, the BBC reported. A lawyer told the court that the two teenagers denied the accusation and they were remanded in custody until July 2. —RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
DMW, DOF launch financial literacy drive for OFWs and families
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Finance (DOF) have teamed up to roll out financial literacy programs aimed at helping Filipinos working abroad and their families manage their money better. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto met in Manila to discuss how the government can provide long-term financial support to migrant families. The joint effort will provide guidance on government-backed savings and investment options such as MP2 savings, SSS investments, retail treasury bonds, equity funds, and exchange-traded funds. 'This initiative will empower OFWs to protect their hard-earned money—whether they send it home, invest it, or use it for important purchases,' Cacdac said. Recto explained that understanding financial concepts like exchange rates and inflation can help overseas workers make better money decisions. 'They should understand how exchange rates, tariffs, and market conditions affect their purchasing power and savings,' he said. Financial literacy teams are expected to be deployed to major OFW hubs in the Middle East by November. In a related move, Recto also signed a Joint Administrative Order with the DMW and the Bureau of Customs to protect Filipinos in the shipping sector from scams and fraudulent practices.
