Twenty-one Philippine government officials who recently completed a study tour in Israel are now back in the country, bringing home valuable insights on sustainability, food security, and livestock production—learnings that can help strengthen local programs.

The delegation, composed of officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), and various local government units, was in Israel upon the invitation of the Israeli government for a study tour on agricultural innovation, dairy production, and cattle raising.

The officials were originally scheduled to return to the country in two batches on June 13 and June 20. However, when conflict erupted between Israel and Iran, flights were canceled and airspace closures left the group temporarily stranded.

According to DILG Region 1 Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr., who was part of the delegation, their group was among several batches of Filipinos assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Israel. “Hindi kami ‘yung unang pinalabas ng Embahada natin from Israel,” he said in a DZMM interview.

“Bago kami, may tatlong Pilipino na pinalabas then kami. Then may mga sumunod na rin. Hindi po kami ang nauna,” he added, noting that the embassy had been conducting government-assisted repatriations since October last year.

Through continuous coordination with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine embassies in Israel and Jordan, the delegates were safely evacuated to Jordan, then flew to Dubai, before finally arriving home in the Philippines.

In a DZRH interview, Lupi, Camarines Sur Mayor Lilian Matamorosa shared their experience of hearing multiple missile and bomb alerts and being forced to take shelter during heightened threats.

“Kailangang tumakbo ka na agad. ‘Wag mo nang hintayin ang sirena pa bago ka gumalaw at tumakbo papunta doon sa bomb shelter. Kailangan naka-ready ang Go Bag mo. Kung nasaan ang passport, ang lahat ng kailangan mo, gamot, kung ano. ‘Yun lang ang bibitbitin mo. Pero ‘yung mga maleta mo, maiiwan lang sa kwarto,” she said.

“May mga time naman po na mahina na ‘yung putok pero may mga time talaga na malalakas talaga po at nagsisigaw po kami sa loob ng bunker. Parang sa takot namin, napapasigaw,” she added.

Despite the continuous missile attacks in Israel, Matamorosa said the delegation was able to complete the study tour. “Kahit may bombahan na doon, kahit may giyera na, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang aming training at seminar. Hindi lang po namin napuntahan ang mga farms na sana ay napuntahan namin.”

She expressed hope to replicate Israel’s best practices in agriculture with the national government’s support.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said the Philippine government ensured the safe return of the delegates upon the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. “Ang instruction po ni PBBM ay basta lahat ng Pilipino ay mahalaga po ang buhay. Talagang 24/7 nakamonitor tayo hanggang sa sila ay makauwi nang ligtas,” he said.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Agri-study-tour-delegates-safely-repatriated-to-apply-lessons-in-local-farming/NC-2025-1081