1st batch of Pinoy repatriates arrive home from Lebanon

Over 40 Filipinos from Lebanon arrived Monday in time to celebrate the New Year at least in their homeland if not in their hometowns, following their repatriation by the government. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that 45 adults and three infants comprise the first batch of Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon. "(They) were repatriated using Assistance to Nationals funds. Another batch of 105 adults from Lebanon will be arriving tomorrow (Tuesday) morning," the DFA said in a release posted on its website. [See: DFA welcomes First Batch of Repatriates from Lebanon] DFA officials who welcomed the Filipinos at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport included Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) Executive Director Enrico Fos and Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Gilberto Asuque. The Filipinos had stayed at the Filipino Workers Resource Center while the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration negotiated with their employers and immigration authorities for their exit clearances. Following their arrival, the Filipinos will stay at the OUMWA dormitory while they await arrangements for their travel back to their hometowns. On the other hand, the DFA reiterated that the total ban on deployment to Lebanon will stay, until the Philippines and Lebanon sign a memorandum of understanding establishing the mechanisms for the protection of rights and the promotion of welfare of Filipino workers. – JMA/JV, GMANews.TV