Repatriated OFWs arrive from Lebanon

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the first batch of 90 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Lebanon arrived early this morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon’s Assistance to Nationals officer Edwin Batallones escorted the first batch of repatriates.

“The Philippine Embassy closely looks after the welfare of OFWs in Lebanon, and with cooperation of Lebanese authorities, we are committed to ensuring the expedited repatriation of Filipinos in distress there,” Philippine Ambassador Gilberto G.B. Asuque said.

These repatriated OFWs were wards and prisoners of the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) and Caritas Migrant Center. They had already served their sentences. Others have been scheduled for and for deportation while some were part-time workers who have requested for repatriation assistance from the Embassy.

Another batch of 23 will be arriving this afternoon, while the third and last batch of 50 will arrive tomorrow morning.

The DFA press statement said that the Lebanese government, through the Embassy’s efforts, waived all other repatriation costs. The DFA shouldered the funding for the tickets of the OFWs, it further said.

The DFA continues to work closely with the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world to facilitate the repatriation of distressed Filipinos overseas, according to the press statement.