ILOILO – The provincial government has opened Bulig Ilonggo 24/7 hotline numbers for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the current conflict in Afghanistan, and their families.
OFWs can contact the Iloilo provincial government thru these numbers: 0961-680-4428, 0910-005-4682, 0998-357-5791, 0945-102-9250, or they may email at peso@iloilo.gov.ph.
“Hulaton naton kon ano ang request sang Ilonggo OFWs naton nga distressed para maman-an naton kon ano nga bulig ang puede kananda,” said Francisco Heler Jr., chief of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Iloilo.
As of this writing, Heler said Bulig Ilonggo has yet to receive calls or queries from concerned OFWs.
PESO-Iloilo is also yet to determine how many Ilonggos were in the central Asian country.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said 132 Filipinos we waiting to be repatriated from Afghanistan.
The Philippines hoisted Alert Level 4 in Afghanistan; this called for mandatory evacuation of citizens “due to the uncertain security situation”.
This alert level is issued when there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack,” the DFA said.
“Ang aton mga Filipinos gina-oversee sang Philippine Embassy sa Afghanistan, amo ‘na ang may jurisdiction para sa anda nga repatriation,” Heler said. “Ang ginapangabay sa mga Pilipino nga in distress kag natungdan nga mag-coordinate sa embahada tuya sa Afghanistan.”
For family members in this province who are hoping to contact the OFWs, Bulig Ilonggo may also cater to their concerns or queries.
Meanwhile, PESO-Iloilo will also set up an international direct dialing and national direct dialing for a smooth communication with concerned agencies when need arises.
Heler also clarified that the provincial government doesn’t only cater to OFWs in Afghanistan but also to other OFWs across the world, especially those facing concerns with their employers./PN
