DEMONSTRATING steadfast commitment to the safety and welfare of Filipinos worldwide, Chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and Tingog Partylist Representative Jude Acidre joined government officials in welcoming 290 Filipinos safely repatriated from Lebanon Saturday.
Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to evacuate Filipinos “by whatever means,” this latest batch marks the largest group returning from Lebanon, who arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 yesterday afternoon.
The group of 290 repatriates, including 233 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) accompanied by 13 dependents and 21 other Filipinos with 23 dependents, was brought home through a chartered government flight organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Ankara. Their safe return reflects the strong inter-agency collaboration to ensure that all Filipinos seeking help could make it back home without delay.
“Our Overseas Filipino Workers are the backbone of many communities, and their safety remains a priority,” Acidre emphasized. “Tingog Partylist, alongside our partner agencies, is dedicated to providing the vital support needed to help our repatriated Filipinos and their families make a safe and smooth transition back home. I commend President Bongbong Marcos for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of our OFWs, which has been instrumental in facilitating this repatriation effort.”
In addition to their safe return, repatriates will also receive assistance to help them reintegrate smoothly into their communities. Each repatriate will be provided financial aid, including Php 75,000 from the DMW’s AKSYON Fund, Php 75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Php 20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Additional services include free medical consultations, psychological support, and access to livelihood programs through the Department of Health (DOH), TESDA, and other agencies.
As part of Tingog Partylist’s commitment to supporting our modern-day heroes and their families, a comprehensive aid package has been prepared to help repatriated OFWs rebuild their lives. This package includes financial assistance through the “Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita” (AKAP) program for both the OFW and their spouse, educational support under the CHED Tulong Dunong Program, and a livelihood package to assist in setting up small businesses, facilitating their smooth reintegration into the country.
Since October 2023, the Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation program has successfully brought home 903 OFWs and 47 dependents from Lebanon in response to heightened tensions abroad. The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Beirut continues to support 69 Filipinos currently residing in shelters, providing them with essential care as they await their opportunity to return home.
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