DSWD Provides PHP80,000 in Aid to Families of Two OFWs Killed in Israel-Hamas Conflict

CADIZ CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 6 (Western Visayas) has distributed financial and in-kind assistance totaling PHP80,000 to the families of two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who lost their lives in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, DSWD crisis intervention unit head Beverly Salazar confirmed in an interview on Tuesday that the initial aid was provided to the family of Loreta Alacre in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental. This package consisted of educational support for her two nephews, cash assistance, and food relief, totaling PHP40,000, and was disbursed on Oct. 14. Alacre, 49, had been employed as a caregiver in Israel for approximately 15 years before she was killed while attending an event near the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7.

An equivalent amount was allocated to the family of Grace Prodigo-Cabrera in the municipality of Maasin in Iloilo on Oct. 20. Cabrera, 45, had worked as a caregiver in Kibbutz Be’eri for almost five years. After voluntarily going with Hamas to protect her ward, she was reported missing and later confirmed dead. DSWD provided PHP10,000 in cash to each of Cabrera’s two siblings, and her mother, Paterna Prodigo, received PHP10,000 in cash along with PHP10,000 in food assistance.

DSWD-6 Director Carmelo N. Nochete stated in a prior interview that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) had located other family members of Cabrera in Pampanga. “Rest assured that DSWD is prepared to assist those affected by the conflict. We are also making arrangements to help those who will be repatriated,” Nochete added.