MANILA – As fighting intensifies between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon are hesitant to return to the Philippines, officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and a lawmaker revealed on Tuesday.
Although around 1,000 Filipinos initially registered for repatriation, many have yet to confirm their readiness to return home.
“[At least] 738 ang nag-signify na they want to come home. But doon ka nga magugulat, some of them are changing their minds. Kasi pagdating nila rito, parang nag-aalala sila, ano nga naman ang gagawin,” OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio said.
Concerns about their livelihood are causing some OFWs to reconsider returning to the Philippines, according to the OFW party-list, which cited numerous messages it received from workers in Lebanon.
“Marami tayong nare-receive na mga email, mga text, mga message sa social media na sinasabi talaga na ‘pag umuwi kami, anong gagawin namin, anong buhay namin. Samantalang nabubuhay kami para sa pamilya namin,” OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino told the media.
Magsino urged the OFWs in Lebanon to take advantage of the open airports and leave while it is still possible. “Habang mayroon pa pong open airports, lumikas na po tayo… Ayaw natin na kahit isang buhay ang mabuwis… May livelihood assistance din na ibibigay na pandagdag sa ating mga agency,” she emphasized.
The conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas backed by Iran, has resulted in near-daily exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border.
In response, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA have increased financial assistance for OFWs who choose to return to the Philippines. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured that there are “sufficient” funds available to support the 1,000 Filipinos who initially signed up for repatriation.
The OFW party-list reported that the DMW still has P1.8 billion in AKSYON (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) funds available for this purpose.
To assist Filipinos in Lebanon, the DMW and OWWA plan to deploy additional teams, and the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon is preparing evacuation routes should the situation escalate to Alert Level 4, which would require mandatory repatriation.
Back in the Philippines, agencies are prepared to provide onsite, repatriation, and arrival assistance for returning OFWs.
“Ang OWWA at DMW, we’re working together. Magpapadala na tayo ng rapid response team. Mayroon tayong karagdagang funds na inaayos, ipinapadala, para makapagresponde tayo ng mabilis-bilis kung saka-sakali na kaagad ay magre-repatriation tayo, either by sea or by land,” Ignacio stated.
“Ang team natin hindi lang manggagaling dito sa Pilipinas. Augmentation lang ang binabanggit ko, pero in place na tayo as we speak,” he added.
“What we can assure you is that the OWWA, the DMW, and the DFA, we will be ready. Hindi naman ito ang unang beses na hinaharap ang ganitong mga krisis,” Ignacio reassured the Filipinos in Lebanon and their families.