OWWA urges families of OFWs in Lebanon to ask them to come home

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has urged the relatives and friends of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) still in Lebanon to ask them to return to the Philippines amid the rising cross-border conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

According to Sam Nielsen's report on Super Radyo dzBB, the agency said that OFWs and their family members who need help may contact the following:

OFWs: +961 79110729
Dependents: +961 70858086

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Sunday that about a thousand Filipinos based in Lebanon have expressed their willingness to return to the Philippines amid the tensions there.

Of them, a total of 356 individuals have been repatriated. There are around 11,000 Filipinos all over Lebanon, some of whom are undocumented.

The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon on Friday night (PH time) issued an advisory to Filipino citizens urging them to leave Lebanon immediately while the airport is still open.

Those who are unable to leave Lebanon were urged by the Embassy to evacuate to safer areas outside of Beirut, South Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley instead.

In Mav Gonzales’ 24 Oras Weekend report, OFW Bernadith Guiang said she will stay in Beirut despite her family’s desire for her to go back to the Philippines.

“Hindi pa naman ako nag-aalala pero 'yun lang gusto ko lumipat kung may lilipatan ako. Huwag kayong mag-alala sa akin kasi okay naman po ako rito kung lumala ang sitwasyon, baka umuwi na rin ako,” Guiang said.

(I'm not worried yet but the only thing I want is to move if I have a place to transfer to. Don't worry about me because I'm fine here, if the situation worsens, I might go home.)

At least 10 were killed, including two children, in the latest bombing of Israel in Southern Lebanon, according to Hezbollah.

The situation in Lebanon is at Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation and the Philippines government will provide the means for those willing to go back to the country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is monitoring if there is a need to raise the alert level to No. 4 or mandatory repatriation.

“Tense ang sitwasyon. Merong mga events o haka-haka o pinapalagay na mangyayaring kaganapan in the next few days na nagsasabing nagbabadyang lala ang sitwasyon,” Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said.

(The situation is tense. There are speculations that something worse is about to happen in the next few days.)

If they cannot leave Lebanon, OFWs were advised to go to safer places outside Beirut, South Lebanon, and Beeka Valley. — Giselle Ombay and Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News