MANILA – Sixteen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Lebanon arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday, having opted for the Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation program.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shared in a social media post that the OFWs landed on Emirates flight EK 33.
Francisca Castillo, a household service worker in Lebanon for 40 years, expressed her gratitude to the government for facilitating their safe departure from Lebanon, currently under Alert Level 3 due to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
“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 (From Lebanon until we arrive here, they really guided us, and so thanks to our government, especially to our President Bongbong Marcos),” Castillo said.
“Hindi nila kami pinabayaan hanggang Beirut, hanggang sa pagsakay sa sasakyan dito at hanggang ngayon sa opisina na ito. Napakasaya po namin sa mga ipinakita nilang ngiti sa amin dahil welcome kami dito kaya po maraming maraming salamat (They did not leave us until Beirut, until we boarded the vehicle, and up to now here at this office. We are so happy for welcoming us with a smile, we felt very welcome here, and so, thank you very much) for everything and best of all thanks to God for everything,” she added.
According to the DMW, each OFW returnee received financial assistance amounting to PHP75,000 from the DMW AKSYON Fund, PHP75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and an additional PHP20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The department also stated that the returning OFWs would be offered support to start their own businesses or find alternative employment opportunities.
So far, a total of 305 OFWs have been repatriated by the Philippine government from Lebanon, which remains under Alert Level 3 due to the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict.