A total of 75 Filipinos arrived from Lebanon on Sunday, Nov. 24, the 91st batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from the conflict-torn Middle East country since last year according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured that all the 75 OFWs who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday will receive assistance from the national government similar to what was provided to those who arrived in the past.
“After landing at the airport, they quickly received financial and livelihood assistance from the DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration , and the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” said Cacdac.
“They also received educational vouchers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority that they can use should they want to continue learning new skills, or their dependents,” he added.
The Philippine government has started the repatriation for Filipinos in conflict-torn areas of the Middle East since Israel started its retaliatory attacks against those involved in the Oct. 7 killings perpetrated by Hamas.
Several repatriates availed the free medical check-up and medicines offered by the New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC) Medical Team.
Cacdac said the latest batch composed of 75 individuals bring the number of repatriated Filipinos from Lebanon to a total 1,191 OFWs and 52 dependents.
He said the DMW’s National Reintegration Center for OFWs will also offer assistance in employment opportunities to ensure soft landing in their reintegration to their local community.
“They can also avail of the free psychosocial services to those who have experienced trauma as a result of the conflict in Lebanon and those who experienced abuse from their employers,” said Cacdac.