By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported that 10 Filipinos have been repatriated from Lebanon since Saturday night, Oct. 28.
Four repatriates arrived in the country on Saturday night, while six more followed on Friday morning.
During the Nov. 3 Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said they are currently working on additional 185 repatriation requests from Filipinos, in coordination with Lebanese immigration officials.
“Mayroon lang kaunting kaibahan ang sitawasyon sa Lebanon, kasi ang sitawasyon sa Lebanon, may proseso pa ng immigration authorities doon at pagkausap sa employers,” he said, noting that the majority of Filipino workers there are domestic workers.
“Kaya kinakausap pa na isa-isa ang mga employer para magkaroon ng paglilinaw patungkol sa pagpapauwi ng mga kababayang OFWs na nandoon,” he added.
He also mentioned the whole-of-government approach in extending help and assistance to repatriated OFWs, including the financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“Ang DOH [Department of Health] nagbibigay ng basic check-up upon arrival at follow-through na medical assistance and treatment kung kinakailangan. Mayroon ding psychosocial counseling,” he said.
The Technical Skills and Development Authority and OWWA will also be offering skills and livelihood training for repatriated migrant workers.
The Department of Labor and Employment will also extend a helping hand by offering employment opportunities for Filipinos affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict. –ag
