The call came just after midnight.
Liza Reyes, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Lebanon, was jolted awake by the ringing of her phone. On the other end, a frantic co-worker warned her of escalating tensions near their town.
“They say the roads might close soon. We need to get out,” the trembling voice said.
For Liza and thousands of other OFWs caught in the crossfire of the Hamas conflict, fear was real, and the path home was uncertain. But halfway across the world, in Manila, the government had already begun mobilizing a large-scale effort to bring them back.
A Presidential Directive to Bring Filipinos Home
When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, he made the protection of OFWs a top priority. In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), he emphasized the need for a robust repatriation system to assist Filipinos in distress. Two years later, as war erupted in the Middle East, that promise was put to the test.
“We are engaging with our partners in the international community to ensure a safe working environment for our countrymen,” Marcos said. “And as we do so, we are also putting in place responsive mechanisms for the social welfare, repatriation, and reintegration of our returning OFWs into the Philippine economy.”
Since the outbreak of hostilities in late 2023, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has spearheaded one of the country’s most extensive repatriation operations in recent history. As of February 13, 2024, 2,783 OFWs had been safely evacuated from conflict zones—1,206 from Israel, 1,569 from Lebanon, six from the West Bank, and two from Gaza. Another 101 dependents, many of them young children, were also flown home.
Coordinated Rescue and a Red Carpet Welcome
At the heart of the operation was the One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC), a crisis-response hub established by the DMW. Under the leadership of President Marcos Jr. and DMW Secretary Leo Hans J. Cacdac, the government executed a full-scale, whole-of-government approach. The DMW worked closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other key agencies.
“The President gave instructions to continue assisting and protecting OFWs in Lebanon,” Cacdac said in an interview. He stressed that securing employment opportunities for repatriated workers—whether locally or in alternative overseas markets—was a top priority.
Upon arrival, returning workers were met not just with financial aid but also with a warm reception from government officials. Liza Reyes, who had feared for her life in Lebanon, stepped off the plane and into the arms of her waiting family.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” she said, her voice breaking. “But I didn’t expect this kind of welcome.”
From Rescue to Reintegration
For many OFWs, returning home is just the beginning. The real challenge comes in rebuilding their lives in a country where job opportunities may be scarce.
To address this, the DMW has strengthened its full-cycle reintegration program, which is anchored on three pillars:
- Kaalaman (Knowledge): Financial literacy workshops, small business training, and investment seminars equip returning workers with the skills to secure their future.
- Kabuhayan (Livelihood Support): Programs such as Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS) help OFWs with teaching licenses transition into local education jobs, while the Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) provides seed funding for small businesses.
- Kalinga (Care): Psychosocial support, reintegration monitoring, and targeted assistance for senior OFWs and single parents ensure that returnees are not left behind.
In 2024 alone, nearly 20,000 OFWs have benefited from these programs.
A Lifeline for Those in Crisis
Recognizing the urgent needs of returning OFWs, the government has significantly increased the budget for the AKSYON Fund (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan), the country’s emergency aid program for distressed workers. In 2025, the fund is set to receive ₱1.2 billion. This will ensure continued access to legal assistance, medical aid, financial support, and repatriation services.
The numbers highlight the scale and urgency of the effort—135,601 OFWs assisted, ₱1.4 billion of the ₱1.85 billion budget already utilized, and over 3,500 OFWs repatriated from Israel, Lebanon, and the Red Sea region. Additionally, financial assistance has been extended to 633 victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
Road Ahead
Despite the government’s efforts, challenges remain. Some returning workers struggle to adjust, while others hope to leave again, drawn by the promise of better wages abroad. But Marcos Jr.’s administration remains firm in its commitment to support returning OFWs.
“We stand ready to assist those who are willing to be repatriated,” Cacdac said. “A whole-of-government approach is in place, as directed by the President, with unprecedented financial assistance and other forms of support under the Bagong Pilipinas initiative.”
For Liza Reyes, that promise means everything. She doesn’t know what the future holds, but for now, she is home—safe, surrounded by loved ones, and given a second chance to start again.
And for thousands of other OFWs caught in crisis, the Philippine government’s pledge remains: No Filipino will be left behind.
