DMW: Repatriation requests in Lebanon ongoing

Requests for repatriation from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon persists as tensions remain high, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac. 

In a statement on 7 June, Cacdac noted that the situation in Lebanon is still volatile, hence the continuous requests. 

“The desire to go home continues to be expressed, especially in Lebanon because the situation is still quite volatile,”  the migrant workers secretary said. He however assured that the government’s free repatriation efforts remain ongoing, noting that it will continue until tensions persist. 

On the evening of Eid Al Adha, Israel carried out air strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs which followed evacuation warnings for several buildings in the area. 

Cacdac added that around a hundred OFWs in Lebanon are currently awaiting repatriation.

Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023, around 3,000 OFWs have been repatriated from conflict-hit areas. 

Meanwhile, amid Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, the DMW secretary said that there are no more OFWs in Gaza, citing repatriation efforts led by the Department of Foreign Affairs.