Smoke rises following an Israeli strike on a target between the villages of Ghandourieh and Froun in southern Lebanon late on September 6, 2024, amid the ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. Ammar Ammar, AFP/File

MANILA -- The repatriation of over a dozen Filipinos in conflict-hit Lebanon has been rescheduled to October 3, a Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) official said on Saturday.

They were supposed to be flown back home last September 26, but several international airlines temporarily suspended their flights as the tension between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia escalated.

"Hopefully, we are praying na on October 3, yung ating mga Filipinos na na-schedule nung September 26 ay makakarating na. Na-schedule na natin yan dahil nabalitaan nga namin na magli-lift na daw ng suspension, barring unforeseen circumstances," said DMW Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Felicitas Bay during a media forum in Quezon City.

READ: Philippines says to evacuate thousands from Lebanon if Israel invades

Bay added that they are also arranging two more repatriation flights.

According to the DMW, more than 500 Filipinos in Lebanon, along with their dependents, have already been brought home since October of last year. Of that number, 430 are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

Bay hopes more Filipinos will take advantage of the voluntary repatriation program, saying that the government is prepared to assist them as they adjust to life back in the Philippines.

She said they will receive a total of P150,000 in financial assistance from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

"Meron din tayong measures or assistance coming from the DSWD, yung psychosocial counseling, at the same time, sa TESDA meron silang mga training vouchers," added Bay.

But for those who will choose to stay in Lebanon, Bay said they may seek the help of the Philippine embassy in Beirut and the Migrant Workers Office there, especially those living in the southern part of Lebanon.

"Most of the tension ay nagaganap sa south of Lebanon. Yung mga kakabayan natin na andoon, hinihikayat ng ating Migrant Workers Office at ng embahada na magsilikas na sila. Meron tayong mga shelters na maaari silang manatili muna temporarily until such time na safe na," said Bay.

READ: DFA urges families of Filipinos in Lebanon to convince loved ones to repatriate

According to the DMW has not received any reports of Filipino casualties or injuries because of the conflict. 

Bay added that the agency will only implement forced evacuation once the alert level in Lebanon is raised to four from the current Alert Level 3.

Since Monday, Israel has shifted its focus from Gaza to Lebanon, where heavy bombing has killed more than 700 people and sparked an exodus of around 118,000 people.

After the initial wave of strikes on Beirut, Hezbollah said it fired more rockets into Israel "in defense of Lebanon and its people". There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Israeli military warned civilians in parts of Hezbollah's south Beirut stronghold to evacuate the area before conducting its second bombing.

It also said it would not allow Iran to transfer weapons to its ally Hezbollah through Beirut airport -- adding that its jets were ready to intervene should any such transfers be detected.

Israel's army said the second wave of strikes had targeted Hezbollah targets in the Tyre area of southern Lebanon.

The UN has repeatedly condemned this week's sharp escalation of violence in Lebanon. -- with a report from Agence France-Presse

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