One hundred thirty-one more Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are set for repatriation this week from Lebanon, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Monday, February 10.
According to its press release, the DMW-Migrant Workers’ Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs-Philippine Embassy in Beirut arranged for the OFWs’ safe repatriation from Lebanon, amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that the 131 OFWs, alongside nine dependents, are homebound this week. Cacdac furthered that most OFWs were sheltered in Beirut under the auspices of the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave clear directives to help our Kababayans, our OFWs, affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. We stand continually ready to assist and support OFWs who wish to go home for safety and security,” Cacdac said.
The OFWs are expected to arrive in the Philippines in two batches.
Meanwhile, 52 OFWs and one dependent will arrive on Monday, February 10, while 79 OFWs with eight dependents will arrive on Tuesday, February 11.
“All of them will receive immediate financial and airport assistance and all the necessary support from the whole-of-government team as directed by the President, composed of the DFA, DMW-OWWA, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),” the DMW said.
The DMW would also extend its assistance through its National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), helping them upskill and achieve sustainable reintegration. This includes livelihood assistance and skills training enhancement for redeployment options.
“The repatriation of the 131 OFWs and their dependents will bring the total to 1,569 OFWs and 68 dependents who have safely returned from Lebanon through Philippine government on-site, shelter, repatriation, and post-arrival assistance since the start of [the] Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023,” the DMW ended.
