Gov't mulls raising alert in Lebanon, mandatory OFW repatriation

The government is determining whether to raise the status of Lebanon to Alert Level 4, a condition that would involve the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in the conflict-hit country.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is conducting the review but it is hard to say when the government would come up with a decision on the matter.

“Under the law, it is the DFA that sets the alert level to Alert Level 3 and the review for Alert Level 4,” Cacdac said in a press briefing yesterday at Malacañang.

“DFA is conducting the review. So, we will just await their action or for their advice from our colleagues,” he added.

The Philippine government started the repatriation of Filipinos after the alert status in Lebanon was elevated from Level 2 to Level 3 in October last year.

Under Alert Level 3, Filipinos are advised to consider repatriation on a voluntary basis. The repatriation would be mandatory if the status is raised to Alert Level 4.

Cacdac said the government is ready in case the alert status in Lebanon is elevated.

“We stand ready... The President has heightened our engagement in terms of safely repatriating our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) out of Lebanon. So, that would accommodate any situation more particularly if it is raised to Alert Level Four,” the migrant workers chief said.