Over 1,000 more Filipinos in Lebanon seek repatriation amid tensions

Metro Manila, Philippines – About 1,100 more Filipinos in Lebanon registered for repatriation as tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah grow, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

There are around 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon.

Currently, Lebanon is under Alert Level 3, which means repatriation is voluntary.

DMW Undersecretary Fely Bay said Filipinos signifying interest have been brought back home since Oct. 28 last year.

“This is a call for all Filipinos not only OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) but for all Filipinos in Lebanon to heed the call of government for voluntary repatriation,” Bay said in a forum on Saturday, Sept. 28.

“We are all aware na medyo po nagkakaroon doon ng mga skirmishes, there’s tension at mayroon pong mga bombings and explosions. Kaya po hinihikayat natin huwag na po nating hintayin na mas lalong lumala iyong situation,” she added.

[Translation: We are all aware that there are skirmishes, tension, bombings, and explosions. So, we are encouraging you to have yourselves repatriated before the situation worsens.]

As of Sept. 19, a total of 430 OFWs have been repatriated.

The next batch of repatriates is set to arrive on Oct. 3.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called on OFWs to coordinate with the embassy. She also urged the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs to repatriate as many Filipinos as soon as possible.

“They should already be mobilizing and pre-positioning resources in anticipation of heightened tensions,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Sa ngayon, ang mahalaga ay ang ligtas na pag-uwi ng mga Pilipino [For now, what’s important is the safe return of Filipinos]. Conflict may soon escalate. We should do all we can to remove our citizens from harm’s way,” she added.

Hontiveros assured Filipinos in Lebanon that the Senate will do what it can to provide livelihood assistance.

Bay, meanwhile, said overseas Filipinos who return to the Philippines will be given ₱75,000 from the DMW and another ₱75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, meanwhile, provides training vouchers.

Psychosocial counseling and other interventions are available at the health and social welfare departments.