99 OFWs repatriated from Lebanon and Kuwait back in PH

A group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Lebanon and Kuwait was successfully repatriated back into the Philippines, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said.

Ninety-nine OFWs from Lebanon and Kuwait arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Thursday, the OWWA said in a post on Facebook.

The group consisted of 20 OFWs from Lebanon and 79 OFWs including five dependents from Kuwait.

The repatriated OFWs were met at the airport by OWWA personnel.

They were given assistance such as food, transportation, and hotel accommodation if needed.

The OFWs heading to provinces were also given assistance.

The OWWA said the government is continuing repatriation efforts to help distressed OFWs who want to return to the Philippines.

Last month, the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon issued an advisory to Filipino citizens for them to leave Lebanon immediately while the airport was still open amid tensions between Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Israel.

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

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs last month, there were around 11,000 Filipinos who were all over Lebanon, some of whom are undocumented. —KG, GMA Integrated News