04 July 2013 – The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon once again assisted in the successful cross-border repatriation of 58 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Syria to Lebanon on July 01 at the Masna’a border crossing to catch their flight for Manila at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in the early morning of July 02.
The repatriation was undertaken in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Damascus and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which shouldered the cost of the airline tickets.
With the IOM personnel at the Masna’a border in the afternoon of July 1 was the Philippine Embassy in Beirut Team I led by Vice Consul Rona Beth Goce and composed of Cultural Officer Gladys Perey, Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officer Junaid Ali and Mr. Ricardo Ruiz (spouse of Ambassador Ruiz). They received the 58 OFWs as they were turned over by the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus, including the personnel from the Rapid Response Team (RRT).
The Philippine Embassy in Beirut Team 2 composed of Vice Consul Dennis John Briones (leader) and ATN Officer Dexter Macaraeg received the repatriates in the evening of July 1 at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut and assisted them, together with IOM personnel, in completing the security, airline and immigration procedures up to the time they boarded their flight to Manila at 4:50 in the morning of July 02.
Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz arrived at the airport at 3:00 a.m. to send off the repatriates and wish them a safe journey.
This group is the 23rd batch to be repatriated from Syria via Lebanon since December 12, 2012 and brings the total of OFWs repatriated via Lebanon to 1,373 OFWs. END
