Some OFWs hesitate to leave Lebanon as fighting intensifies: OWWA | ABS-CBN
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Some OFWs hesitate to leave Lebanon as fighting intensifies: OWWA
Some OFWs hesitate to leave Lebanon as fighting intensifies: OWWA
A man riding a moped flashes the V-sign for victory as he drives past a poster of assassinated Hezbollah top commander Fuad Shukr, the day after his funeral, erected along the Sidon-to-Tyre highway, in southern Lebanon on Aug. 2, 2024. Mahmoud Zayat, AFP/File
A man riding a moped flashes the V-sign for victory as he drives past a poster of assassinated Hezbollah top commander Fuad Shukr, the day after his funeral, erected along the Sidon-to-Tyre highway, in southern Lebanon on Aug. 2, 2024. Mahmoud Zayat, AFP/File MANILA – Some overseas Filipino workers hesitate to leave Lebanon despite the fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, a lawmaker and an official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said Tuesday.
MANILA – Some overseas Filipino workers hesitate to leave Lebanon despite the fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, a lawmaker and an official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said Tuesday.
Out of around 1,000 Filipinos who initially signed up for repatriation from Lebanon, majority have yet to confirm readiness to return to the Philippines.
Out of around 1,000 Filipinos who initially signed up for repatriation from Lebanon, majority have yet to confirm readiness to return to the Philippines.
“[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.
“[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.
Some OFWs are worried about their source of livelihood should they choose to push through with the voluntary repatriation, the OFW party-list said, quoting messages it received.
Some OFWs are worried about their source of livelihood should they choose to push through with the voluntary repatriation, the OFW party-list said, quoting messages it received.
“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.
“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.
“Tayo ay nakikipag-usap sa OFW party-list para kayo ay agarang ma-repatriate, kaya lang napakarami pa ring resistance. Marami pa ring ayaw magpa-repatriate dahil sanay na raw sila doon. Nandoon daw ‘yung pamilya nila, nandoon daw ‘yung hanapbuhay nila, at nandoon din ‘yung mga kaibigan at ibang kamag-anak nila,” she added.
“Tayo ay nakikipag-usap sa OFW party-list para kayo ay agarang ma-repatriate, kaya lang napakarami pa ring resistance. Marami pa ring ayaw magpa-repatriate dahil sanay na raw sila doon. Nandoon daw ‘yung pamilya nila, nandoon daw ‘yung hanapbuhay nila, at nandoon din ‘yung mga kaibigan at ibang kamag-anak nila,” she added.
Magsino urged the OFWs in Lebanon, “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.”
Magsino urged the OFWs in Lebanon, “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.”
Israeli forces and Hamas's Iran-backed ally Hezbollah have traded near-daily fire along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Israeli forces and Hamas's Iran-backed ally Hezbollah have traded near-daily fire along the Israel-Lebanon border.
The Department of Migrant Workers and the OWWA increased the financial assistance for OFWs repatriated from Lebanon.
The Department of Migrant Workers and the OWWA increased the financial assistance for OFWs repatriated from Lebanon.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac gave assurances the two government agencies have “sufficient” funding should all the 1,000 Filipinos, who initially signed up for repatriation from Lebanon, push through with their return to the Philippines.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac gave assurances the two government agencies have “sufficient” funding should all the 1,000 Filipinos, who initially signed up for repatriation from Lebanon, push through with their return to the Philippines.
The OFW party-list said the DMW still had P1.8 billion in AKSYON (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) fund available.
The OFW party-list said the DMW still had P1.8 billion in AKSYON (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) fund available.
The DMW and OWWA plan to augment their teams in Lebanon to assist Filipinos there. The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon is also preparing evacuation routes in case the situation escalates to Alert Level 4 or mandatory repatriation.
The DMW and OWWA plan to augment their teams in Lebanon to assist Filipinos there. The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon is also preparing evacuation routes in case the situation escalates to Alert Level 4 or mandatory repatriation.
Agencies in the Philippines, meanwhile, are ready to offer onsite, repatriation, and arrival assistance for returning Filipinos.
Agencies in the Philippines, meanwhile, are ready to offer onsite, repatriation, and arrival assistance for returning Filipinos.
“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 said.
“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 said.
“Ang team natin hindi lang manggagaling dito sa Pilipinas. Augmentation lang ang binabanggit ko, pero in place na tayo as we speak,” he added.
“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 assured Filipinos in Lebanon and their families.
“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 assured Filipinos in Lebanon and their families.
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