ISRAEL — The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, personally met on March 13, 2026 with Bernie Lavarias, the husband of the late Filipina caregiver Mary Ann De Vera, who was killed during a missile strike amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

De Vera, an overseas Filipino worker, reportedly died after a missile attack linked to the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel. The incident highlights the risks faced by migrant workers who continue to serve abroad despite geopolitical conflicts in their host countries.

During the meeting, President Herzog extended condolences to the bereaved family and acknowledged the sacrifices made by foreign workers who contribute to Israeli households and communities. According to reports, Herzog assured the Lavarias family that the Israeli government would provide monthly benefits and financial assistance under the country’s victims’ compensation program.

The program is intended to support families of individuals who die or are injured as a result of attacks connected to security conflicts. The assistance aims to help surviving relatives cope with financial challenges following the loss of a family member.

The tragic death of De Vera has also drawn attention to the broader situation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), many of whom are employed in regions experiencing political instability or armed conflict. Thousands of Filipino caregivers work across Israel and other parts of the Middle East, providing essential services to families while supporting relatives back home in the Philippines.

While governments often extend aid and compensation after such incidents, the event raises larger questions about the safety of migrant workers in volatile regions and the responsibilities of both sending and host countries to ensure their protection. As conflicts continue to affect civilian populations and foreign workers alike, one difficult question remains: How can nations better safeguard migrant workers who risk their lives abroad in search of a better future for their families?

(Larawan mula sa: Philippine Embassy in Israel / Facebook)