By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In response to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to evacuate Filipinos from war-torn Lebanon “by whatever means,” Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre joined government officials on October 26, 2024, to welcome 290 Filipinos who were safely repatriated.
Acidre, chair of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, assured the returning Filipinos at NAIA Terminal 1 that Tingog Party-list remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare and safety of Filipinos abroad.
“Our Overseas Filipino Workers are the backbone of many communities, and their safety remains a priority,” Acidre said.
The group of 290 repatriates includes 233 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) accompanied by 13 dependents and 21 other Filipinos with 23 dependents. They were brought home via a chartered government flight arranged by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in close collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Ankara.
“Tingog Party-list, alongside our partner agencies, is dedicated to providing essential support for our repatriated Filipinos and their families to ensure a safe and smooth transition back home,” Acidre stated.
He added that their successful return highlights strong inter-agency coordination to ensure that all Filipinos seeking assistance can make it home without delay.
“I commend President Bongbong Marcos for his unwavering commitment to our OFWs’ welfare, which has been instrumental in facilitating this repatriation effort,” Acidre said.
In addition to safe passage home, repatriates will receive support to help them reintegrate into their communities. Each repatriate will be provided financial aid, including Php 75,000 from the DMW’s AKSYON Fund, Php 75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Php 20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Additional services include free medical consultations, psychological support, and access to livelihood programs through the Department of Health (DOH), TESDA, and other agencies.
Acidre shared that Tingog Party-list has prepared a comprehensive aid package to support these modern-day heroes and their families. This includes financial assistance through the “Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita” (AKAP) program, educational support under the CHED Tulong Dunong Program, and a livelihood package to assist in setting up small businesses to facilitate smooth reintegration.
Since October 2023, the Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation program has safely brought home 903 OFWs and 47 dependents from Lebanon in response to increased regional tensions. The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Beirut continues to support 69 Filipinos in temporary shelters, providing essential care as they await their return.
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