MANILA – Sixteen more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have arrived safely in the Philippines after being repatriated from Lebanon, which is embroiled in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The OFWs, including a household service worker of 40 years, landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday, greeted by Philippine government officials and financial assistance.
“Buhat po Lebanon hanggang dito ay napakaganda ng ginawa nilang gabay sa amin at maraming-maraming salamat po sa gobyerno natin lalo na po sa ating Presidente si Bongbong Marcos,” said returnee Francisca Castillo, expressing deep gratitude to the government for facilitating their safe exit.
The repatriation effort is part of the Philippine government’s voluntary program to bring home its citizens amid the heightened tensions in Lebanon, which has been placed under Alert Level 3 due to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Each of the 16 OFW returnees received immediate financial assistance totaling PHP170,000 from various government agencies, including the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The DMW also said the returnees will be assisted in finding alternative employment opportunities or establishing their own livelihood ventures if they wish to start a business.
To date, a total of 305 OFWs have been repatriated by the Philippine government from Lebanon, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad, especially in conflict-affected regions.
