THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday said no overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Lebanon was reported hurt in the explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies last week.
“We’ve been monitoring the situation. We know that no Filipinos were harmed as a result of the recent pager and walkie-talkie radio attacks,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
Cacdac said this is likely due to the fact that the exploding pagers and walkie-talkies are being used only by alleged Hezbollah operatives.
“The attacks are targeted, that’s why our OFWs aren’t affected,” he said.
Last Tuesday, pagers and walkie-talkies used by hundreds of Hezbollah members exploded almost simultaneously across Lebanon.
Nearly 40 people were killed while around 3,000 others were wounded by the series of explosions.
The DMW has repeatedly called on OFWs in Lebanon to avail themselves of the voluntary repatriation program. The Department of Foreign Affairs made a similar call last week as it said no Filipino was hurt.
Cacdac said the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are prepared to provide financial assistance to returning OFWs.
“Financial assistance amounting to P150,000 are ready to welcome them,” said the DMW chief.
Aside from financial aid, livelihood, medical, and psychosocial assistance are also prepared for repatriated OFWs.
Records show there are around 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon.
