112 overseas Filipino workers repatriated from Lebanon

A total of 112 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and two children arrived from Lebanon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday.

On board Qatar Airways, the repatriated Filipinos arrived in two batches—the first batch and the second batch arrived at about 5 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.

According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), they are still waiting for the third batch, which is expecting to arrive on Tuesday at about 9:15 a.m.

The repatriated Filipinos—who are mostly victims of illegal recruiters—were welcomed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Binay, who is the presidential adviser for OFW concern said that the government would continue sending help to OFWs in other countries.

He said that the government would give free training to the repatriated OFWs, for them to find job in the Philippines or in other countries.

Meanwhile, the OWWA said that they would be assisting the Filipino workers in clearing immigration and customs procedures.

OWWA also said that their cases would be endorsed to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration for the legal assistance.
The agency added that the workers and children are temporarily staying at the OWWA Halfway House prior to their return to their home provinces.

According to OWWA, the Philippines does not allow deployment of Filipino workers to Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Jordan because of unstable security conditions in the said countries. –Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz, Manila Times