PH explores options to repatriate Filipinos in Lebanon

THE Philippine government is exploring all options to evacuate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) out of conflict-hit Lebanon, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Wednesday.

DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said they were looking to relocate stranded Filipinos via air, land, and sea routes away from the skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

«The original flight that will accommodate 15 overseas Filipinos was scheduled for September 25, but that did not push through because the flight was cancelled. So, we took the liberty of chartering a flight,» Olalia said in a Palace briefing.

«But should the air route be impossible because they can shut down the airport in Beirut, we have an alternative. The land route going to Damascus is ready. We've already discussed that,» he added.

Olalia said they were in the process of commissioning ships.

«Yes, we're already talking to several maritime vessels. We are not at liberty to disclose who they are but it is one of our options,» he said, noting all Migrant Workers Offices in the Middle East were in full alert to help OFWs affected by the conflict.

There are presently 101 Filipino workers in four shelters ready to be repatriated, added Olalia, noting each OFW to be repatriated will receive P150,000 financial aid from DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

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The DMW reported that all accounted OFWs were safe after the recent attacks and were transferred to a hotel in Beit Mery, Lebanon for temporary shelter.

In a related development, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said a more robust safety measure to protect the rights of OFWs was in order, as she travelled to Qatar to meet 50 compatriots who have been victims of abuse and harassment.

«According to government records, 57 percent of OFWs deployed in Qatar are household workers, and a majority of them are women who are especially vulnerable to abuse by employers,» Hontiveros said in a statement.

«We need to listen to our countrymen who are victims of violence, abuse and other crimes; and act so that their sad experiences will not be repeated,» she added.

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Hontiveros said pre-departure orientation seminars for OFWs must be enhanced