290 Filipino repatriates from Beirut, Lebanon are now on board a Philippine-government chartered flight going to Manila, Philippines. (Photo Courtesy of the Department of Migrant Workers)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) safely repatriated 290 more Filipinos who are affected by the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, bringing the total number of Filipino repatriates to 903 alongside their 47 dependents since October 2023.
The DMW, with the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Turkiye, arranged a chartered flight for Filipino repatriates comprising of 233 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and 13 dependents as well as 21 Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and 23 dependents.
“We stand ready to assist those who are willing to be repatriated. And sa pag-uwi nila, a whole-of-government approach ang nakahanda, as directed by the President, with unprecedented financial assistance and other forms of support,” Said DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac.
Various government assistance programs await the Filipino repatriates once they return home. These include financial aid worth P75,000 each through the AKSYON Fund of DMW.
READ:
DMW, OWWA ready to welcome OFWs with return opportunities
In addition, Filipino repatriates will receive an additional P75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and P20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The Department of Health (DOH) is also geared to provide free medical consultations, psychological aid, and other essential healthcare services to the repatriates.
Through the National Reintegration Center of DMW, OFW returnees will gain access to sustainable livelihood programs and employment opportunities to help them establish a financially secure future.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will extend free skills training vouchers to repatriates in support of this initiative.
It can be recalled that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all concerned government agencies to mobilize the necessary resources for the safe and timely repatriation of Filipinos in response to the escalating tension in Lebanon.
The president highlighted that the DMW, in particular, must ensure to bring home the conflict affected Filipinos “by whatever means.”
At present, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Lebanon is looking after the welfare of 69 Filipinos residing in government-provided shelters in Beirut to ensure that they have access to food and other necessities while awaiting their repatriation schedules.
DMW Secretary Cacdac meanwhile encouraged Filipinos who are still in Lebanon to avail of the voluntary repatriation program of the government for their safety.
OFWs, their families or relatives, can reach the One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC) of DMW at 1348 24/7 hotline and through [email protected] for immediate assistance.
The most recent 290 Filipino repatriates are scheduled to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
