Ilonggo OFW evacuees from Lebanon now reach 183
As of August 6, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Western Visayas who have returned to the country since the government started its repatriation from war-torn Lebanon on July 23, 2006 has already reached 183.
Data obtained from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) showed that most of these OFWs in the region are from the province of Iloilo numbering 91, followed by Negros Occidental with 66, Capiz - 11, Guimaras - 7, Antique - 5, and Aklan - 3.
The same data revealed that around 29 batches of OFW evacuees have arrived in the country from Lebanon during the period, July 23 to August 5, 2006, bringing the total number of OFWs repatriated to 2,171.
OWWA 6 Director Robert P. Bassig said that the number of OFWs repatriated is expected to increase with the arrival of another batch within this week.
Bassig said most of these repatriated who are from Western Visayas have already reunited with their families while there are some who opted to stay in Metro Manila to be with their relatives or friends or to look for jobs.
"We have an existing or on-going livelihood assistance for our OFWs who opt to start their business enterprise upon their return to the country," OWWA 6 Program Chief Noel C. Chavez said, adding "our OFWs repatriated could avail of this."
To further strengthen and ensure the smooth and unhindered evacuation of OFWs from Lebanon, the OWWA has increased its repatriation fund to P1.5million and with another P.5million from the office of the President.
OWWA Administrator Marianito Roque said the increase in the OWWA evacuation fund will redound to the increased capability of repatriating several thousand more of OFWs from Lebanon in the event the crisis escalates further.
(PIA)