192 OFWs in Lebanon set to be repatriated from October 11-28 — DMW

A total of 192 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon are set to be repatriated until the end of the month, according to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Thursday.

At a Palace briefing, Cacdac said the Filipinos are being booked in different commercial flights starting Friday, October 11, while 11 are set to arrive this weekend.

"One hundred ninety-two (192) are currently booked commercial flights spanning October 11 up to October 28, under two identified commercial airlines. In fact, there will be arrivals this weekend, 11 arrivals."

Meanwhile, around 413 OFWs are yet to be processed by the Lebanese immigration authorities.

Cacdac assured the public that the 179 Filipinos in the DMW's four shelters in Beirut are "safe and sound" and that a nurse, social worker, and a doctor are doing the rounds to ensure the health of the OFWs.

He added that the shelters can still accommodate more Filipinos.

There are currently more than 11,000 Filipinos based in Lebanon, the majority of which are located in Beirut. Of this number, only over 1,000 OFWs have signified their intent to be repatriated.

Cacdac said their reasons could be their nature of work and income.

"I think 98% of OFWs in Lebanon are domestic workers, therefore their place of work would be their employers' households. So they are, should I say, they are devoted to in their service, they might have stayed long enough to have a sense of loyalty and commitment to serve. That could be one reason: the nature of work. They don't work in corporate or factories, where it's easier to facilitate their release and return," he said.

"And, of course, the income is there. But we have already discussed the matter, the loss of income if they come home," he added.

Cacdac said the Philippine government and the Lebanese authorities are doing their level to look after the OFWs.

“Panawagan antin sa ating mga kababayan ay mag-avail na ng safe and free repatriation service ng Philippine government, and of course, may sarili silang assessment at this stage kasi voluntary nga as to whether they are safe or not. Just the same that we make our services available. Ang masasabi ko lang sa 458 or so, na nakauwi na ay sila ay safe and sound."

[We call on our countrymen to avail of the safe and free repatriation service of the Philippine government. Of course they have their own assessment at this stage ... it's voluntary. Just the same, we make our services available. What I can say is that for the 458 who have returned home, they are safe and sound.]

Alert Level 3 currently remains hoisted in Lebanon, meaning Filipinos may opt to be voluntarily repatriated.

Cacdac further noted that the DMW stands "ready" if Alert Level 4 is raised.

Raising Alert Level 4 would mean that the Philippine government would call for a mandatory repatriation of Filipinos.

The Philippine Embassy in Beirut has been urging Filipinos to evacuate while commercial flights are still available amid the continued exchange of rockets between Israel and Hezbollah.

Last week, the DFA said members of the Filipino community in Lebanon were hesitant to leave, adding that they would rather die in war than starve to death.

Flight cancellations going to and from Lebanon have delayed the repatriation of over a dozen Filipinos there.

Fifteen OFWs were supposed to be flown back to the country this week and were to depart Lebanon last Sept. 25originally, but their flights were rescheduled anew following recent explosions in Beirut.

Of the 15, three OFWs, including one with a medical condition, are rescheduled to fly home on Oct. 11, while the remaining 12 will join 17 other OFWs who are set for repatriation on Oct. 22, "barring unforeseen circumstances," according to the DMW. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News