Manila, June 19 -- The Philippine government is stepping up its repatriation efforts amid an increasing number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the escalating Israel-Iran conflict who want to return home.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported that 178 OFWs in Israel have formally signified their intention to return, a sharp increase from 85 just days after the recent Iranian missile strikes.

"Umaasa tayo na madadagdagan, numerically naman talagang madagdagdan yan, yung (We are hopeful that it will increase, numerically it will really increase, the) 178. It's a question of growth, the trend," Cacdac said.

"We're approaching 100 since last Friday. So there's...