President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated on Wednesday that the Philippines is not yet ordering a mandatory repatriation for Filipinos in Israel and Iran, despite the ongoing airstrikes between the two Middle Eastern countries.

“No, not yet. We generally leave it to each individual or to each family to decide for themselves whether or not they feel generally safe or whether or not they want to be evacuated,” Marcos told reporters. He acknowledged the challenge of closed airports due to the conflict, which complicates evacuation efforts, stating, “The problem we’ve encountered there is that due to the war, many airports are closed, so we are looking for routes to get them out.”

The President assured that the Philippine government is “watching our nationals both in Israel and in Iran.” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is already en route to Jordan to closely monitor voluntary evacuation efforts. Marcos noted that while some Filipinos in Israel have requested evacuation, some in Iran who initially wished to stay are now seeking assistance to leave.

The renewed conflict between Israel and Iran was reignited last week after Israeli forces bombed Iranian nuclear facilities and missile factories, describing the attack as a “preemptive strike.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran has been stockpiling nuclear weapons to attack Israel, while Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has vowed to avenge his slain countrymen.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced Wednesday that several Filipino government officials stranded in Israel amid the escalating conflict may be able to return home “in the next coming days.” The group of 17 officials—including nine mayors, four vice mayors, two party-list representatives, and two regional directors—had been in Israel for a short course and were originally scheduled to return last weekend. OWWA Administrator Patricia Caunan stated that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other government agencies are assisting them, with arrangements already in place for their return.

The House of Representatives also confirmed it is closely coordinating with the DFA regarding the possible presence of two of its members in Israel, though House Secretary General Reginald Velasco could not immediately confirm their current status. He noted that two congresswomen had cancelled their plans to travel to Israel due to the situation.

OWWA’s Caunan added that authorities are working on the repatriation of approximately 150 other Filipinos in Israel, ironing out their documents for departure “as soon as possible,” with an expected timetable of “the next coming days, weeks.” Repatriated Filipinos are set to receive cash aid and livelihood training from the government.

There are approximately 30,000 Filipinos residing in Israel, mostly working as caregivers, hotel staff, students, and engineers, and another 1,200 living in Iran. With Israel’s airspace currently closed, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola previously mentioned that authorities are exploring land routes via Jordan or Israel’s border with Egypt for those wishing to be repatriated.