PH gov't to give P150K to OFWs from Lebanon—DMW

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Monday said the national government would provide P150,000 financial assistance to Filipinos who would be repatriated from Lebanon amid the tensions there. 

''Sabi pa nga ni Pangulo, repasuhin 'yung financial assistance rate kung P50,000, ginawa na nating P75,000 from DMW, P75,000 from OWWA so that's P150,000 financial assistance upon return,'' Cacdac told Palace reporters in an interview. 

(The President told us to make adjustments to the financial assistance rate. If it's P50,000 we made it P75,000 from DMW and P75,000 from OWWA so that's P150,000 financial assistance upon return.)

Cacdac said the increase in the financial aid ''applied about a week ago.'' Even the undocumented Filipinos who will return home will be given monetary aid, according to Cacdac. 

Aside from the financial aid, the government will also provide psychosocial and livelihood assistance for the repatriated Filipinos, Cacdac said. 

He stressed that the Philippines is ready in case the situation in the area gets worse. According to Cacdac, a thousand Filipinos have expressed the intention to return to the country.

At least 45 Filipinos could come home later this week, Cacdac added.

''We are ready in case the situation gets worse. Right now, we have an ongoing repatriation efforts since last year. Around 356 have gone home from Lebanon. Just last weekend, there were 15 that came home and about a thousand have expressed interest to come home but 45 said they are ready to come so that 45 will come home soon, hopefully later this week,'' Cacdac said. 

''Right now, they are undergoing through Lebanese immigration procedures,'' he added. 

Last week, the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon issued an advisory to Filipino citizens for them to leave Lebanon immediately while the airport is still open amid tensions.

Tensions between Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Israel have risen in recent weeks.

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah group launched drone attacks last month on Golan Heights which is occupied by Israel.—LDF, GMA Integrated News