The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it will repatriate over 500 Filipinos from Lebanon in the coming days, in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s directive to expedite the return to the country of all Filipinos stranded in Lebanon that has heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah militants.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that a total of 514 Filipinos have volunteered for the repatriation program. Of this number, 264 already have plane tickets, while the remaining 250 are awaiting exit clearances to be released by the Lebanese government. As of Tuesday, Cacdac said 100 exit clearances were still pending.
Government shelters have housed at least 192 Filipinos waiting for their return flights. The Philippine government also deployed social workers and medical professionals to assist those in need.
Since the war erupted in Israel and Hezbollah back in October this year, the Philippine government had already been able to repatriate 488 Filipinos with their dependents in Lebanon. DMW estimates there were some 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon.
The government is constantly coordinating efforts with the Lebanese government in ensuring that there is an unhampered return of the affected individuals in this conflict.
