ILOILO – Hope continues to burn bright for a family from Barangay Burak, Maasin town, Iloilo. Their relative, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), went missing after being abducted by the Palestinian terror group, Hamas.
Forty-two-year-old Grace Prodigo-Cabrera has been employed as a caregiver in Kibbutz Be’eri, Israel for the past four years.
Her mother, Paterna Prodigo, remains optimistic, believing that her daughter is safe, alive and awaiting rescue by Israeli military forces.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, Grace’s younger sister, Mary June, who is also a caregiver in Kibbutz Be’eri, called the family to recount their ordeal. Both of them were abducted by Hamas.
Fortunately, Mary June was rescued.
During a phone conversation with DFM Bombo Radyo Iloilo on Monday, Oct. 16, Paterna recalled Mary June telling her to continue praying and avoid getting stressed out.
“Amo ran waay na ako sige kakulit kananda kag sagi pamangkot kon ano-ano, amo lang ran gid,” said Paterna.
Mary June also said she is managing her expectations, added Paterna.
“Batun ko na lang kon ano ang maabtan ni sister,” she quoted her daughter as saying.
Maasin’s Mayor Francis Amboy told Panay News yesterday that the Prodigo family visited his office and provided further details about the missing OFW.
He also confirmed that the Philippines Embassy verified Grace’s disappearance in Kibbutz Be’eri.
“Hamas indeed took her away,” said Amboy.
Responding swiftly, Amboy directed Maasin’s local Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager to liaise with relevant agencies. This ensures that any news concerning Grace is promptly relayed to her anxious family.
Amboy also said the local government of Maasin stands ready to offer any necessary support the Prodigo family might need.
“Our goal is to ensure they feel the presence of a supportive government,” he said.
Amboy added: “I told them to keep their hopes alive, and our collective prayers are for her safe return.”
The town of Maasi has over 60 OFWs in Israel. Amboy said most of them are stationed in Jerusalem, away from the primary conflict zones.
The Maasin local government frequently checks in with OFW associations in Israel to ensure their well-being, said Amboy.
Should any OFWs opt for repatriation, Amboy reiterated that the Maasin local government is fully prepared to assist.
Meanwhile, Francisco Heler Jr. of the Iloilo provincial government’s PESO said that while the Prodigo family has not yet approached his office directly for assistance, “We are actively collaborating with PESO-Maasin. If help is needed, we are here and ready.”
Among the help available are: P10,000 financial assistance; counseling from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office; and micro business assistance, among others.
Currently, there are 198 known OFWs from the province living in Israel. This figure is expected to rise as PESO managers continue their outreach in various communities./PN
