A new batch of 290 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrived in the Philippines from Lebanon on Saturday via a Philippine government-chartered flight, landing at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay.
The repatriation of this batch brings the total to 903 OFWs and 47 dependents repatriated from Lebanon through the government’s voluntary repatriation program.
A team of officials from relevant government agencies welcomed the largest batch of repatriates, consisting of 233 OFWs and 13 dependents, along with 21 other Filipinos and their 23 dependents.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega, OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio, TESDA Deputy Director Felizardo Colambo, and representatives from the DSWD welcomed the repatriates, assuring them of all necessary assistance and support from the government.
House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairman Rep. Jude Acidre also participated in welcoming the repatriates.
Hector B. Cruz, Jr., the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Attaché to Alkhobar, escorted the said batch from Beirut to Manila.
As of writing, the MWO is assisting 69 Filipinos living in shelters in Beirut, ensuring they have access to food and other essential supplies.
As part of the assistance from various government agencies, the repatriates will receive financial aid. This includes P75,000 from the DMW's AKSYON Fund, P75 from OWWA, and P20,000 from the DSWD.
Meanwhile, the DOH is on standby to offer free medical consultations and psychological first aid to the repatriates.
The DMW, through its National Reintegration Center for OFWs, will assist the repatriates in starting their livelihood ventures or seeking alternative employment opportunities, in addition to providing free skills training vouchers from TESDA.
