192 Filipinos from Lebanon set to be repatriated, DMW confirms

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac at the press briefing held in the Department of Migrant Workers main office in this file photo taken in November 2023. LYN RILLON/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 192 Filipinos are expected to be repatriated from Lebanon from October 11 to 28,  Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said on Thursday.

In a press briefing, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) official also said that 11 Filipinos from the Middle Eastern country will arrive in Manila in the coming weekend.

READ: Many OFWs willing to take chances, refuse to leave Lebanon

Cacdac added that documents of around 413 Filipinos who already sought repatriation are currently being processed by the Philippine and Lebanese governments.

“We have 179 Filipinos in our shelters; we have four shelters all around Beirut. We will not disclose, of course, the location, but we have 179 sheltered in our four facilities at the moment. The capacity is not yet filled, so definitely our four shelters can still accommodate some more stayers or occupants,” he also said.

Cacdac also assured the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who would be repatriated that government assistance awaits them once they arrive in the country.

“We’d like to believe we are already addressing or have addressed the matter of the loss of income that may incur if they come home. So, the financial assistance that we’re offering can go up as high as P150,000 between DMW and OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration] upon arrival. That’s good for four to six months’ salary,” he said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also set to dispense financial aid to the OFWs, while the Department of Health will provide medical assistance, including psychosocial support.

READ: PH reviews raising Lebanon alert level to 4, affecting OFW repatriation

Furthermore, Cacdac said that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is reviewing whether there is a need to raise the alert level from 3 to 4.

If the DFA raises the alert level to 4, mandatory repatriation of OFWs in Lebanon will be enforced. This level is only declared in cases of severe external threats.