As fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces escalates, the Philippine government is stepping up efforts to repatriate Filipino citizens from Lebanon. The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon has placed the country under Alert Level 3, which allows for voluntary repatriation, urging Filipinos to repatriate, but not yet to the extent that requires mandatory evacuation (which is Alert Level 4). The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs are coordinating efforts for repatriation.
Ongoing Repatriation Efforts
In a recent interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed that 13 overseas Filipino workers, along with three children, were repatriated from Lebanon, and 45 more Filipinos are expected to arrive in the Philippines this week as the situation in Lebanon remains tense.
Cacdac emphasized that the government is also conducting “onsite monitoring” to ensure the safety of Filipinos still in Lebanon. Coordination with the Filipino community and local shelters is part of the ongoing effort to facilitate evacuations.
In the past few months, approximately 300 Filipinos have requested assistance with repatriation, but despite these efforts, many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remain hesitant to leave Lebanon due to concerns about their livelihoods. According to OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio, out of the 1,000 Filipinos who initially expressed interest in repatriation, a significant number are reconsidering their decision.
Financial and Logistical Support for Repatriation
The Department of Migrant Workers and OWWA have ensured that sufficient financial resources are available to support those who opt for voluntary repatriation. The government has allocated P1.8 billion in AKSYON (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) funds to assist returning OFWs.
Furthermore, the DMW and OWWA are augmenting their teams on the ground in Lebanon and preparing for a potential escalation of the conflict to Alert Level 4, which would mandate repatriation. The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon is actively working on evacuation routes, while agencies in the Philippines are ready to provide onsite, repatriation, and arrival assistance for those returning home.
The Philippine government is committed to protecting its citizens in Lebanon, despite the difficulties. The collaboration between the DMW, OWWA, and the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon is focused on making the repatriation process for OFWs as seamless as possible, while also providing them with the financial and logistical assistance needed to readjust to life back in the Philippines.
