REPATRIATED. Francisca Castillo, a household service worker in Lebanon for 40 years, thanks the Philippine government for facilitating their safe exit from Lebanon after she and 15 other overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday (Aug. 28, 2024). A total 305 OFWs have now been repatriated by the Philippine government from Lebanon which is under Alert Level 3 due to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. (Photo screengrab from DMW Facebook page)
MANILA – Sixteen more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Lebanon arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday after availing of the Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation program.
In a post on social media, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the OFWs arrived via Emirates flight EK 33.
Francisca Castillo, a household service worker in Lebanon for 40 years, expressed gratitude to the government for facilitating their safe exit from Lebanon which is under Alert Level 3 due to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
“Buhat po Lebanon hanggang dito ay napakaganda ng ginawa nilang gabay sa amin at maraming-maraming salamat po sa gobyerno natin lalo na po sa ating Presidente si Bongbong Marcos (From Lebanon until we arrive here, they really guided us, and so thanks to our government, especially to our President Bongbong Marcos),” Castillo said.
“Hindi nila kami pinabayaan hanggang Beirut, hanggang sa pagsakay sa sasakyan dito at hanggang ngayon sa opisina na ito. Napakasaya po namin sa mga ipinakita nilang ngiti sa amin dahil welcome kami dito kaya po maraming maraming salamat (They did not leave us until Beirut, until we boarded the vehicle, and up to now here at this office. We are so happy for welcoming us with a smile, we felt very welcome here, and so, thank you very much) for everything and best of all thanks to God for everything,” she added.
The DMW said each of the OFW returnees received immediate financial assistance worth PHP75,000 from the DMW AKSYON Fund, PHP75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and PHP20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The department added that they will also be assisted in establishing their own livelihood ventures if they want to start a business or in finding alternative employment opportunities.
To date, a total of 305 OFWs have now been repatriated by the Philippine government from Lebanon which is under Alert Level 3 due to Israel-Hezbollah conflict. (PNA)
