The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through its Field Office 3 (Central Luzon,) recently condoled with and gave financial assistance to the family of a Filipina caregiver who was the fourth overseas Filipino worker killed in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a report to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Central Luzon Regional Director Venus Rebuldela said FO-3 social workers led by SWO II Krista Dumaun visited the immediate family of Grace Prodrigo Cabrera on 19 October and handed them P10,000 in financial support.
Cabrera hails from Apalit, Pampanga and worked as a caregiver in Israel for many years. She was one of the casualties when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack at the Gaza border in southern Israel.
Aside from the P10,000 financial aid, community-based social workers will also remain in contact with the family members to provide psychosocial support for the bereaved family, according to Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez.
“Furthermore, the sister of Grace who is also a caregiver in Israel, will help identify the remains of the fallen OFW to expedite the repatriation of her remains from Israel to the Philippines,” Lopez said.
“We will also explore possible livelihood assistance for the family through our Sustainable Livelihood Program as long-term assistance,” the DSWD spokesperson added.
Lopez said the DSWD will work with appropriate agencies to ensure that the family of Cabrera will receive the necessary assistance, and that “the Department is dedicated to provide every help to support the families of our OFWs who were killed in Israel.”
“Rest assured that the DSWD will be delivering necessary support to the family of the deceased in order to alleviate the impact of this unfortunate event,” he said.
The DSWD Field Office 3 had earlier reached out to the family of 42-year-old Paul Vincent Castelvi, who was also killed in the 7October Hamas attack. The family of the slain OFW is based in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The DSWD Field Office-1 (Ilocos Region) also rendered assistance to the family of the slain 32-year-old nurse Angeline Aguirre, who was killed after she refused to leave her elderly Israeli patient. The Filipina nurse hailed from Pangasinan.
Meanwhile, the DSWD Field Office 6 (Western Visayas) assisted the family of slain Negrense Loreta Alacre, whose remains arrived on Saturday, 21 October, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.