The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday said the government is ready repatriate documented and undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the escalating conflict in Lebanon.
“We’re ready, we stand ready to help upon their return,” DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said.
The DMW chief encouraged OFWs to consider returning to the Philippines as regional tensions escalate. There are currently 11,360 OFWs in Lebanon, with around 356 Filipinos having been voluntarily repatriated in recent months.
Repatriated OFWs will receive P150,000 in cash aid upon returning to the Philippines, with Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil clarifying this financial assistance applies only to OFWs from conflict-affected areas.
He said the government will provide free training courses from TESDA-accredited institutions and employment facilitation through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The government has also collaborated with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to assist OFWs interested in agriculture or tourism projects upon their return.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Marcos admin ready to repatriate OFWs in Lebanon — DMW
