30 July 2013 – The Philippine Embassies in Damascus and Beirut worked hand-in-hand in the cross-border repatriation of 30 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Syria through Lebanon on July 24.

The Embassy in Beirut facilitated the departure of the latest batch of repatriates for Manila via the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport in the early morning of July 25. 

Of the 4,427 Filipinos who were safely brought home from Syria, 1,405 were repatriated through Lebanon since cross-border repatriations began in December 2012.

The Embassy in Beirut’s Vice Consul, Mr. Dennis John C. Briones, and Labor Attaché Bulyok Nilong were on hand at the Masna’a border in the afternoon of July 24 to receive the 30 OFWs as they were turned over by the officers and personnel of the Embassy in Damascus and the Philippine Government’s Rapid Response Team (RRT). 

From the Masna’a border, the repatriates were brought first to the Embassy in Beirut where they were warmly welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz and briefed by shelter team leader, Welfare Officer Imelda Gatinao.  While at the Embassy, the repatriates were served dinner and then rested for a few hours in preparation for their flight to Manila.

In the early morning of July 25 at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Vice Consul Rona Beth Goce and Information Officer Edwin Batallones assisted the 30 OFWs as they completed security, airline and immigration procedures up to the time they boarded their flight to Manila.

The Embassy in Beirut is also in close coordination with Lebanese immigration authorities to ensure a smooth and fast cross-border repatriation of Filipinos from Syria.

A social worker from Caritas Lebanon Migrant Centre also once again provided the medical and translation assistance at the Masna’a border. END