The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday reiterated its call for voluntary repatriation of Filipinos in Lebanon, following escalating tensions in the region due to ongoing conflicts.
Speaking at a news forum in Quezon City, DMW Undersecretary Fely Bay emphasized that Lebanon remains under Alert Level 3, which allows for voluntary repatriation.
“We currently have Filipinos who have been repatriated as early as October 28, following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7,” Bay said.
“The last group was repatriated on September 19, but due to flight suspensions, some of our fellow Filipinos, including 15 OFWs, were unable to return as scheduled on September 26,” she added.
However, Bay assured the public that repatriation efforts are continuing: “The suspended flight has been rescheduled for October 2, with their arrival expected by October 3, barring unforeseen circumstances.”
“There have been reports of skirmishes, bombings, and explosions. We are encouraging all Filipinos, not just OFWs, to heed the government’s call for voluntary repatriation to avoid further danger,” Bay said.
Meanwhile, the DMW is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure the safety of Filipino workers and their dependents in Lebanon.
