PH Embassy in Lebanon Repatriates 27 Overseas Filipinos

Vice Consul Mark Joshua Ponce (center) with the overseas Filipino repatriates. (Beirut PE photo)

BEIRUT 22 August 2024 – Deafening sonic booms generated by military aircraft were so strong they rattled the doors of her house–this was according to one of the 27 overseas Filipinos repatriated from 14 to 16 August 2024. Her recent experiences caused her so much anxiety that she finally decided to avail of the Embassy's voluntary repatriation program. She and her Lebanese spouse held on hopes that their parting would be temporary, and that they would return to their home in southern Lebanon. 

Like her, many Filipino nationals in Lebanon face uncertainties, more so with the recent airstrikes and speculations of a possible escalation beyond the almost daily exchanges between the Israeli Defense Forces and Hezbollah along the southern border. During the repatriations, the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport was especially crowded, filled with passengers of various nationalities fleeing Lebanon. Demand for flights out of the country has spiked in the last four weeks, and the cost of plane tickets have doubled, even tripled, also due to the suspension and cancellation of flights of a number of airline carriers. 

Nonetheless, the Embassy continues to facilitate repatriations as preventive measures to ensure the safety of Filipino nationals in Lebanon.

Among the 27 repatriates from 14 to 16 August 2024, seven (7) are permanent residents who are spouses of Lebanese nationals, 17 are OFWs, while three (3) are minor dependents.

The series of repatriations are being facilitated by the Philippine Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Section, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The Embassy continues to monitor the situation across Lebanon and provides updated safety measures and advisories to Filipino nationals. The Embassy strongly urges all Filipino nationals to avail of the voluntary repatriation program considering the worsening security situation in the country. Applicants may access the repatriation program through this link: https://tinyurl.com/2024Repatriation or call the Migrant Worker’s Office’s hotline at (+63) 9617 911 0729. END

Overseas Filipino repatriates at the check in counter prior to their flight. (Beirut PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.beirutpe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinLebanon/.