MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government is mobilizing its resources and assets to bring home Filipinos from the crisis-torn nation of Lebanon, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced on Thursday.
“The directive is clear: To mobilize the government resources and assets to bring our Filipinos home. And at present, that’s what is being worked out in terms of sending a ship, which could mean either a transport by air or by sea,” Cacdac said during a briefing at the presidential palace.
The government has already booked 192 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on commercial flights from October 11-28, with 11 arriving this weekend. There are currently 179 Filipinos, including some Lebanese spouses and children, being cared for at four Philippine shelters in Lebanon.
However, Cacdac explained that 413 additional OFWs are awaiting clearance from Lebanese immigration authorities before they can undergo the repatriation process.
“It’s a two-step process, as far as we are concerned,” Cacdac said, addressing allegations of a slow repatriation effort.
The official assured that the government is ready to implement mandatory repatriation if the alert level is raised to 4. But he urged all Filipinos in Lebanon not to wait, and to avail of the “safe and free repatriation service” being offered by the Philippine government.
“Of course, they have their own assessment at this stage because it is voluntary as to whether they are safe or not. But just the same, we make our services available,” Cacdac said.
The mobilization of resources comes in response to directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to bring home Filipinos from the volatile situation in Lebanon.
