Government urged to repatriate more OFWs from Lebanon

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros has urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to repatriate as many Filipinos from Lebanon as they can the soonest as tensions in the Middle Eastern country further heightened.

Hontiveros called on the DFA and the DMW to exhaust all options to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Lebanon.

“I call on the DFA and DMW to repatriate as many of our kababayans in Lebanon as soon as possible. Our agencies should have contingency plans in place in case the situation worsens,” she said.

“I trust that our government agencies are exhausting all options to ensure the security, safety and welfare of our OFWs. They should already be mobilizing and prepositioning resources in anticipation of heightened tensions,” she added.

At the same time, the senator called on OFWs to contact the Philippine embassy.

“We will ensure in the Senate that those who return to the country should have livelihood assistance,” she said.

“Right now, what is important is the safe return home of Filipinos. Conflict may soon escalate. We should do all we can to remove our citizens from harm’s way,” she added.

Amid Hontiveros’ call, a help desk is now available for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon who need immediate assistance, according to the DMW.

The agency said all documented and undocumented OFWs affected by the escalating tension in Lebanon may call the Lebanon Help Desk for assistance, with hotlines available in the country or the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) as well as the Philippine embassy in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.

Migrant Workers Undersecretary Felicitas Bay on Saturday reported that the Philippine government is ready and capable of mass repatriation of OFWs from Lebanon, if necessary.

Bay said the DFA has raised Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation of Filipino workers from Lebanon.

“If the DFA says it needs to be raised to Alert level 4 or mandatory evacuation, the DMW is ready to support and assist all Filipinos who would opt for mandatory evacuation,” she added.

In coordination with the government of Lebanon and various international organizations, the Philippine government can