A total of 192 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon are scheduled for repatriation starting Friday, Oct. 11, amid rising tensions following intensified Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the repatriation, arranged in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), involves nine commercial flights between Oct. 11 and 28 to ensure the safe return of the OFWs.

"The safety of our countrymen remains our top priority. We have arranged for their immediate return to the Philippines," Cacdac said.

He noted that outbound flight disruptions from Beirut caused by recent explosions had delayed the repatriation process.

The first group, which includes three individuals with medical conditions, is scheduled to depart on Oct. 11, with additional flights planned over the next two weeks.

Once completed, the repatriation of the 192 OFWs will bring the total number of Filipinos returned from Lebanon since October 2023 to around 600.

In addition to the 192 OFWs, the DMW revealed that 194 more Filipinos are awaiting clearance from Lebanese immigration authorities for future repatriation flights.

The escalating conflict, particularly along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, has prompted more Filipinos to seek repatriation. Temporary shelters have been established in central Beirut to accommodate OFWs while they await their flights.

Cacdac assured that the government remains committed to ensuring the safety of OFWs not only in Lebanon but also in other conflict-affected areas, including Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

He added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had directed the swift repatriation of all Filipinos in high-risk zones.

"President Marcos has been clear—our top priority is the safety of our countrymen. We are focusing on all affected areas, including Israel, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza, to bring them home safely," Cacdac said.

Upon their return to the Philippines, the repatriated OFWs will receive medical care from the Department of Health (DOH) and livelihood support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will also provide skills training vouchers to assist them in finding new employment or starting businesses.

For undocumented OFWs or those facing issues with their employers, such as withheld passports, the Philippine government has pledged its full support.

The DFA is prepared to issue travel documents and cover penalties to facilitate their safe return.

"We are committed to helping all Filipinos who wish to return. I have instructed our Ambassador in Lebanon to assist those whose employers are withholding their documents. We will pay any necessary penalties to ensure their return," Cacdac said.

With Lebanon under Alert Level 3, the government is encouraging OFWs to voluntarily register for repatriation through the official online portal or by contacting the Philippine Embassy or Migrant Workers Office for assistance.

As tensions continue in Lebanon, the DMW is closely monitoring the safety of OFWs in neighboring areas. Cacdac reported that around 2,000 OFWs in northern Israel have already been evacuated to safer locations by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

The DMW and the Philippine Embassy in Israel are prepared to implement repatriation efforts if the situation worsens.

Despite the rising violence, some OFWs, particularly those married to Lebanese nationals, have opted to stay in Lebanon and relocate to safer regions instead of returning to the Philippines.

The DMW’s Migrant Workers Offices in the Middle East remain operational, providing ongoing support to Filipinos in conflict zones.