9 OFWs in Lebanon return to PH

Nine overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon returned to the country on Saturday afternoon.

This brings the total number of repatriated OFWs to 442 since October 2023, when Israel and Hamas, an ally of militant group Hezbollah based in Lebanon, went to war, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.

The repatriates, who arrived at NAIA Terminal 1, received P75,000 each from the DMW Aksyon Fund, P75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Association, livelihood assistance worth P20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and skills training vouchers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“All the necessary support will also be provided to the repatriates for their productive reintegration,” the DMW said.

The worsening conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has prompted the Philippine government to step up calls for voluntary repatriation.

As of Saturday, the DMW said at least 571 Filipinos had availed of voluntary repatriation.

Of the 350 Filipinos whose repatriation is being processed by the Lebanese immigration, 178 are currently staying in shelters in Beirut.

Meanwhile, 221 Filipinos had booked tickets to return home between October 12 and October 28.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Thursday maintained Alert Level 3 in Lebanon.

Alert Level 3 means Filipinos may opt to be voluntarily repatriated. Raising it to Alert Level 4 would call for a mandatory repatriation.

There are 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, the DMW said. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News