PH gov’t’s Task Force Lebanon sets up help desk

Department of Migrant Workers and overseas Filipino workers. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government launched a help desk for updates and assistance to overseas Filipinos affected by the mass protests across Lebanon amid the tensions on the Israel-Gaza border.

In an advisory issued Thursday evening, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the Philippine government established the help desk with the help of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Filipinos in need may contact the DMW and OWWA’s  24/7 Task Force Lebanon help desk through the following numbers:

Hotline:
+63 2 1348

WhatsApp and Viber
+63 908 3268344
+63 927 1478186
+63 920 5171059

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier told reporters that there’s always contingency plans in place for Filipinos in Lebanon.

“[T]here are about 70 Filipinos in northern North Israel across the border kung saan tumatama ang rockets. And there are about 2,700 Filipinos to be exact in Southern Lebanon,” said de Vega in a press briefing.

READ: 5 Hezbollah fighters killed as tensions flare Lebanon-Israel border

(There are about 70 Filipinos in northern North Israel across the border where the rockets are hitting. And there are about 2,700 Filipinos to be exact in Southern Lebanon.)

Asked if the country will raise the alert level status in Lebanon and Israel, the foreign affairs official said not yet.

“We haven’t done this yet because it’s a regular thing. They know what to do in Israel. In Southern Lebanon we’re waiting for the final recommendation of our embassy in Beirut so we will update you on that, but we ensure that they are safe,” said de Vega.

READ: Lebanon’s Hezbollah denounces Gaza hospital strike, protests in Beirut 

Meanwhile, the Philippine embassy in Lebanon, in a separate advisory on Thursday, reminded Filipinos to “be careful” and avoid public places, gathering, and traveling within Lebanon, especially in the South, unless necessary.

JPV