1,300 Filipinos have come home from war-torn Middle East in past year, says DMW

MORE THAN 1,300 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from war-torn areas in the Middle East have come home since October 2023, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Monday.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said 1,326 OFWs from Israel, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza have been repatriated as ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Most of them or 888 came from Israel.

He added that of 21 migrant Filipinos in the West Bank, mostly domestic helpers, about six have come home.

He said about 2,000 OFWs in Northern Israel have been safely evacuated, while 107 Filipinos were staying in three shelters in Lebanon.

In September alone, 28% Filipinos who were repatriated came from Lebanon. “We sense an increasing interest on the part of our OFWs to return, although it’s still voluntary repatriation mode at Alert Level 3,” he added.

More than 430 Filipinos have been repatriated from Lebanon since October 2023, together with their 28 dependents, he said.

The DMW with the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) will bring home about 151 more Filipinos from Lebanon.

“So far… it’s a fluid count for the month of October,” Mr. Cacdac said, adding that 225 repatriations were being processed at Lebanon’s immigration. They will arrive in the country from Oct. 11 and Oct. 28.

There are about 40,000 OFWs in Lebanon, most of whom are caregivers and domestic helpers.

“We care for our citizens. And so, it’s always imperative under the law to provide and offer safe, secure and free repatriation services,” he added.

All repatriated Filipino workers from Lebanon will be entitled to P150,000 in cash assistance from the DMW and OWWA, he said.

Returning OFWs will also get immediate medical attention from the Department of Health, livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and skill training vouchers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Tensions in the region intensified after Hamas launched missile attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 last year, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages to Gaza, according to Israeli figures.

Hezbollah, which supports Gaza, is a Lebanese militant group that attacked Israel to show solidarity.

Alert Level 3 is in effect in Lebanon, allowing Filipinos to opt for voluntary repatriation. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana