Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, 64 Ilonggo Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Lebanon have been reported safe, according to the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) in Iloilo.
One Ilonggo OFW, however, reported being in an “unsafe” situation due to their proximity to a war zone and their employer preventing them from returning home.
PESO-Iloilo Acting Head Cynthia Dario stated that they have been closely monitoring the safety of all 65 OFWs from Iloilo, with 64 confirmed safe.
“Every day, we are monitoring. Out of these 65, 64 are safe, although one has declared feeling unsafe because they are close to the war zone,” Dario said.
The data shows that the highest number of Ilonggo OFWs in Lebanon are from Barotac Nuevo, with 16 workers. They are followed by Tigbauan and Leon with 15 workers each; Miagao with five; Santa Barbara with three; Concepcion, Anilao, and San Joaquin with two each; and Calinog, Carles, Badiangan, Cabatuan, and Sara with one each.
Most of these OFWs are service workers who have been employed in Lebanon for an extended period.
These reports were gathered through the activation of the Task Force Bulig Ilonggo Desks, a collaboration between the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and Barangay and Municipal PESOs, as directed by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr.
Dario also disclosed that there are approximately 1,400 undocumented Ilonggo OFWs in Lebanon, based on data from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). In contrast, only over 200 individuals are actively listed with the agency.
To address this, PESO-Iloilo is intensifying its monitoring efforts alongside Municipal PESO managers to reach the families of undocumented OFWs. Dario clarified that only 65 families have reported the status of their relatives in Lebanon to PESO-Iloilo.
“Our lines are open 24/7, and we are actively monitoring to understand the situation of our Ilonggo OFWs in Lebanon. They can call us anytime and reach out to us in collaboration with the PDRRMO,” she explained.
“As of today, we have accounted for 65 Ilonggo OFWs through our municipal PESO managers and Barangay PESO,” Dario added, emphasizing their continued commitment to monitoring and supporting affected OFWs and their families.
The Iloilo provincial government, under Defensor’s directives has mobilized Task Force Bulig Ilonggo in partnership with the PDRRMO to ensure the safety and well-being of its OFWs in Lebanon.
