DFA: 90 distressed OFWs arrive from Lebanon

(Updated 6:37 p.m.) The first of several batches of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Lebanon, where the Philippines is currently enforcing a deployment ban, arrived early Monday morning. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the first batch of 90 OFWs arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) aboard a Qatar Airways flight. Another batch of 23 arrived Monday afternoon, while the third and last batch of 50 will arrive Tuesday morning. The DFA said the repatriated OFWs include wards of the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) and Caritas Migrant Center, prisoners who have already served their sentences and for deportation, and part-timers who have requested for repatriation assistance from the Embassy due to various issues, such as abuse by their employers. "All other repatriation costs have been waived by the Lebanese government through the Embassy's efforts, while the DFA shouldered the funding for the tickets of the OFWs," the DFA said. Vice President Jejomar Binay, the presidential adviser on OFWS’ concerns, and DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. welcomed the repatriated workers. Also present were DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) Special Assistant Enrico Fos and representatives from DFA-OUMWA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The first batch of repatriates was escorted by the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon's Assistance to Nationals officer Edwin Batallones. They were brought to an OWWA facility after their arrival, according to a report on radio dzBB. "The Philippine Embassy closely looks after the welfare of OFWs in Lebanon, and with cooperation of Lebanese authorities, we are committed to ensuring the expedited repatriation of Filipinos in distress there," Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Gilberto Asuque said. The DFA added that it continues to work closely with the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world to facilitate the repatriation of distressed Filipinos overseas. For his part, Binay urged Filipinos who wish to work abroad to apply through government offices, such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and accredited recruitment agencies. He added he has scheduled meetings with agencies and authorities involved in curbing illegal recruitment. The Philippine government has ceased sending workers to conflict-ridden Lebanon since July 2006 due to the unstable peace and order situation in the wake of fighting between the Hezbollah and Israeli forces. About 6,000 Filipino workers were repatriated from Lebanon when the deployment ban was implemented. POEA records show there were 1,326 documented workers in Lebanon in 2009, up from just 12 Filipinos documented in 2008. Data from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, however, indicate there are over 31,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, only 500 of whom are considered permanent residents while the rest are either undocumented Filipinos or temporary residents with employment contracts. Also incongruous with POEA data, remittances from Lebanon-based OFWs recorded a 141-percent increase in 2009, up to $12 million from $5 million in 2008, despite the continuing ban. – VVP/KBK, GMANews.TV