SENATOR PADILLA’S URGENT PLEA FOR REPATRIATION OF OFWS FROM LEBANON
On August 7, 2024, Senator Robinhood Padilla made an urgent appeal for the swift repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Lebanon during a privilege speech in the Senate. His call followed the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which heightened tensions between Israel and Iran.
Now, two months later, the situation has worsened significantly. The Department of Migrant Workers reports that over 400 repatriation applications from Lebanon remain unaddressed by local authorities. As Israel continues its airstrikes on the country, Lebanon has experienced over 1,000 civilian fatalities and has seen 1.5 million people displaced.
As of 2020, there were approximately 33,424 Filipinos working and living in Lebanon, Many of those who are working are domestic workers. According to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, 192 Filipinos are prepared for repatriation, with 11 expected to return to the Philippines as soon as this weekend. However, many OFWs hesitate to leave due to strong emotional ties to their employers.
To support those opting to return, the Philippine government has established 179 temporary shelters in Lebanon, although their capacity is not yet fully utilized. Additionally, the government is contemplating raising the alert level in Lebanon to Level 4, which would necessitate mandatory evacuation.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has convened several high-level meetings to streamline repatriation efforts, acknowledging the intricacies of the situation. Secretary Cacdac has also announced financial aid for returning OFWs, offering up to ₱150,000 to compensate for income lost due to their unexpected departure.
Had Senator Padilla’s urgent appeal for action in August been addressed, many of the challenges currently confronting the Philippine government could have been alleviated. The backlog of over 400 unprocessed repatriation requests and the ongoing efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of Filipinos might have been better managed through proactive measures. Senator Padilla’s early insights could have lessened the pressure on government agencies now racing to tackle this crisis. Indeed, prompt action is essential to avert further complications in these high-stakes circumstances.