Repatriated overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) Felicilda Aboc faces the media upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on October 17, 2024, after being evacuated from conflict-affected areas in Lebanon. Maria Tan, ABS- CBN News

MANILA -- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Wednesday that an additional 100 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), including their dependents, will be repatriated from Lebanon this week. 

This comes as part of the ongoing efforts to assist Filipinos in the Middle East, particularly those affected by ongoing tensions.

In a press briefing, DMW Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services Felicitas Bay confirmed that 935 OFWs and 47 dependents have already been repatriated from Lebanon, bringing the total number of returnees to 982 as of Wednesday, November 6.

She also noted that a group of 50 repatriates is scheduled to arrive on November 8. This initial arrival will be followed by an additional 45 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), along with 5 dependents, who are expected on November 9.

READ: 8 more OFWs in Lebanon return to PH; total repatriated now at 450

“Meron po tayong darating sa November 8 [na] 50 OFWs and on November 9, 45 OFWs plus 5 dependents,”  Bay said. “So as of November 9, in-advance ko na siya, a total of 1,030 OFWs will be accounted as repatriated and 52 dependents.”

The repatriation process is being carried out in cooperation with various government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 

The Bureau of Immigration and airport authorities are also involved in facilitating the return of the OFWs.

Bay added that the repatriations are being conducted via commercial flights, with additional support from the DMW’s rapid response team, which includes social workers, a doctor, a nurse, and welfare officers from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The Philippine Embassy’s rapid response team in Lebanon is also coordinating the efforts on the ground.

Currently, 166 Filipinos remain in operational DMW shelters in Lebanon while the government processes their exit procedures.

Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, head of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), supported  Bay’s announcements regarding upcoming flights for migrant workers. He confirmed that, in addition to the flights scheduled for November 8 and 9, there is an additional flight planned for November 30.

“We continue to run the shelters on the ground and as I understand it, there are 214 (repatriates left)… So we have 214 still pending for Lebanon. Still pending with Lebanese immigration. So we are certain [that there are] 214 with [the] Lebanese immigration plus the 20 for the November 30 flight and the two incoming flights this week,” said Cacdac.

He stated that the team is continuing to prepare for more flights and anticipates that a total of 334 OFWs and dependents will be repatriated by the end of the month. 

READ: 290 Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon through chartered flight -- DMW

“We are certain that around 334 (will come home). At least 334 are certain to come home from Lebanon. 214 from Lebanese immigration plus the 50 on the November 6 flight, plus the 50 [on the] November 7 flight, plus 20 [on] the November 30 flight. So that is a total of 334. We are expecting 334,” he added.

In addition to the Lebanon repatriations, Bay also highlighted the success of the voluntary repatriation program for OFWs in Israel. A total of 972 OFWs and 28 dependents have been repatriated from Israel since the beginning of the program, with more flights expected in the coming weeks.

“For Israel, our total repatriation–voluntary repatriation– it’s 972... So [the] total repatriated from Israel [is] 972 plus 28 dependents,” Bay stated.

The DMW continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East and is committed to ensuring the safe return of all Filipinos who wish to come home.