Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 26) – Some 170 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were listed in the first batch to be repatriated from Lebanon, Department of Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac said on Thursday.
“Sa Lebanon po, napi-pinto na rin ang first batch ng repatriation, meron ng mga 170 na nagpatala. Like Israel, may kaunting hamon sa flight bookings but rest assured mayroon na pong napipinto sa first batch,” Cadac said during the House committee on overseas workers affairs on Thursday.
[Translation: For Lebanon, we are preparing for the first batch of repatriation, we already have around 170 listed. Like in Israel, we are also experiencing difficulty in booking flights but rest assured the first batch is being prepared.]
Amid the rising tension between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday advised Filipinos living near the southern border of Lebanon to flee the area.
READ: 109 Filipinos seek repatriation from Lebanon — DFA
Meanwhile, 746 families called on the DMW helpline asking for assistance to find relatives as the Israel-Hamas war rages.
Cacdac said the relatives of 744 families have been accounted for or assisted, while search is ongoing for the remaining two.
He added DMW is seeking job opportunities for the two siblings of an OFW killed in the war.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the DMW said that there will be benefit and assistance programs for the returning OFWs.
