17 September 2013 – In just a a few days, the Philippine Embassies in Damascus (Damascus PE) and Beirut (Beirut PE) and the Rapid Response Team (RRT-Syria) were able to repatriate a total of 52 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from strife-torn Syria.

The OFWs were brought to Lebanon by land in two groups by Damascus PE personnel after undergoing pre-departure medical checks.

The first group, composed of 31 OFWs, arrived in Beirut last September 11, while the remaining 21 OFWs safely crossed the Syrian Lebanese border on September 14.

The Beirut (PE) pre-processed the transit visas of the OFWs to facilitate their entry into Lebanon.

Once inside Lebanese territory, representatives of Beirut PE and the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC) assisted the OFWs in transferring from the Masna’a border crossing to the Embassy shelter.

Beirut PE teams also took care of the OFWs during their brief stay at the Embassy shelter and assisted them with airline, Immigration and security procedures at the Rafik Hariri International Airport.

Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah Basinang-Ruiz and her spouse, Mr. Ricardo Ruiz, during the send off for the 21 OFWs, updated the group on the latest developments in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao. She likewise informed them that Beirut PE is happy to have the opportunity to participate in the task of repatriating Filipino workers from Syria and wished them a safe journey home to their loved ones in the Philippines.

The 31 OFWs arrived in Manila on September 13 while the second group of 21 OFWs made it home on September 16.

As of September 16, a total of 4,793 Filipinos have been brought home from Syria under the Philippine Government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program. Of that figure, 1,771 were repatriated through Lebanon.  

A new batch of 28 OFWs in Damascus have been declared “travel-ready” and are awaiting the issuance of Lebanese transit visas. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to appeal all Filipinos who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation as the violence in the country shows no sign of abating. For assistance they may call the Embassy at 963-11-6132626, +963-96-8955057, +963-93-4957926, +963-99-2264145, +963-96-8953340, or +963-95-8903893.

The families of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the DFA with up-to-date information regarding their next-of-kin’s present location and contact details in Syria. Those who wish to do so may call the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) at (02) 834-3240 or 834-4583 or the DFA’s 24-hour Action Center at (02) 834-3333. END