The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Friday, Nov. 8, that 248 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be repatriated amid increasing hostilities in Lebanon.
DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac said most of them are just awaiting clearance from the Lebanese immigration before they are allowed to travel.
“I assured the President [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] that all OFWs who have voluntarily asked to be repatriated are properly assisted through sheltering and safe repatriation,” Cacdac said.
“The President gave instructions to continue to help and protect OFWs in Lebanon, and ensure reintegration through employment and the availability of alternative job markets for OFWs who are repatriated as a result of the ongoing Middle East crisis,” he added.
A total of 290 overseas Filipinos from Lebanon returned home last Oct. 26 via Philippine government-chartered flight.
Since October 2023, there are 935 OFWs and 47 dependents from Lebanon who were repatriated through the joint efforts of the DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The DMW recorded the biggest number of repatriates last October 26 with 233 OFWs and 13 dependents returning in the country via government arranged chartered flight.
On the other hand, 972 OFWs with 28 dependents in Israel were safely repatriated by the government, of which 84 of them were repatriated last October 30.
“We are hoping and praying that the situation will improve and peace will prevail in that part of the world,” Cacdac said.
Lebanon and Israel are engaged in a conflict as a result of a spillover of the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, affecting thousands of OFWs in the Middle East.