By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Amid ongoing Israeli air strikes on Beirut, Lebanon, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) disclosed on Saturday that at least 570 Filipinos have expressed interest in the government’s repatriation program.
Of these, 221 have already secured airline tickets, while around 350 more are being processed through immigration.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported that the escalating conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has claimed 22 lives and injured 117 people, prompted the government to place Lebanon under Alert Level 3.
Last Wednesday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. ordered the evacuation of Filipinos in Lebanon “by whatever means.”
Under Alert Level 3, Filipinos may opt for voluntary repatriation, receiving ₱150,000 in cash assistance along with livelihood training.
“Unprecedented ‘yan na tulong natin. Dati ₱100,000, itinaas pa natin to ₱150,000,” Cacdac said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
He explained that the cash assistance aims to support those returning home without jobs. “Pag-uwi nila, wala silang trabaho… para may dala sila habang dumadaan sa proseso ng pagsubok o kawalan ng trabaho,” the DMW chief added.
Cacdac noted that the majority of the 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon are residing in Beirut, with only 178 having evacuated to government shelters.
“Sa ngayon, wala tayong napapabalitaan na nasaktan o nasawing Pilipino sa mga attack sa Lebanon, whether in southern Lebanon or in Beirut. Sa awa ito ng Diyos, kaya we’re hoping it will stay that way. Ipagpatuloy lang natin ang ating pagdarasal,” he stated.
Most Filipinos in Lebanon are employed as domestic helpers, Cacdac added.
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