Panayam kay DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac kaugnay ng lagay ng mga Pilipino sa Lebanon at sa patuloy na repatriation efforts sa kanila

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Panayam kay DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac kaugnay ng lagay ng mga Pilipino sa Lebanon at sa patuloy na repatriation efforts sa kanila  For more news, visit:  ►https://www.ptvnews.ph/  Subscribe to our DailyMotion Channel: ►http://www.dailymotion.com/peoples-television-incorporated  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ►http://www.youtube.com/ptvphilippines  Like our Facebook pages: ►PTV: http://facebook.com/PTVph  ►Rise and Shine Pilipinas: https://www.facebook.com/riseandshinepilipinas  Follow us on Twitter:  ►http://twitter.com/PTVph  Follow us on Instagram: ►https://www.instagram.com/ptvph  Watch our livestream on:  ►http://ptvnews.ph/livestream/ ►https://www.dailymotion.com/PTVPhilippines  Watch our News Programs, every Mondays to Fridays  Rise and Shine Pilipinas - 6:00 - 8:00 am Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon - 12:00 - 1:00 pm Sentro Balita - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Ulat Bayan - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm PTV News Tonight -  9:30 pm - 10:30 pm  Saturday & Sunday: ►Ulat Bayan Weekend - 6:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Transcript

00:00We will discuss the situation of our OFWs in Lebanon and the ongoing repatriation efforts for them.

00:07We will discuss this with the Department of Migrant Workers Secretary, Hans Leo Kakdak.

00:13Secretary, good afternoon.

00:18Secretary Kakdak.

00:22It's on mute. Good afternoon, Ms. Tini and to all the listeners and viewers.

00:28Sir, how are our countrymen in Lebanon?

00:32And here in the shelters provided by the government in Beirut, how many occupancy are there now?

00:40And are there still available shelters for our countrymen?

00:47Yes, let's start with those who have already returned home.

00:51According to the order of our beloved President, since day one,

00:55when the Israeli Defense Forces and Hezbollah bombed Hidwaan and Sigalot in October 2023,

01:04more than 460 OFWs from Lebanon have returned home,

01:09including their 28 dependents or children.

01:14So the total number is 488.

01:18And as of now, there are 264 OFWs who are returning home.

01:22They already have booked commercial flight tickets.

01:26And there are still more than 250 OFWs who are in the process of their clearances for Lebanese immigration.

01:43So the total number is more or less 514 OFWs who are returning home from Lebanon.

01:55And speaking of our shelters, 192 OFWs are currently in our shelters.

02:03And they are in three shelters. We have four shelters in Lebanon.

02:10Only three are still full. Only three are still being used.

02:14And we have social workers. We have social workers, we have doctors, we have nurses

02:20who are doing rounds and are being assisted.

02:25Anyone who needs help. Of course, we have personnel.

02:28Aside from the three people I mentioned,

02:31we also have personnel who are taking care of our shelters in Peru.

02:37Sec Hans, good afternoon.

02:39We have received reports that our countrymen are having a hard time getting an exit clearance.

02:45What is the reason for this and how can we help them?

02:50Good afternoon, Usec.

02:53Of course, our embassy has been stopped, no less than Ambassador Raymond Balatbat.

02:59Our President instructed this to our teams on the ground, led by the DFAPE, the Philippine Embassy.

03:07Just yesterday, there were more than 100 exit clearances from Lebanese immigration.

03:14Or they are being stopped to exit.

03:16I'm sorry, I need to be clear.

03:17It has been approved, but it is being stopped to exit from Lebanese immigration.

03:22So in fairness, we know that there is a long wait out of Lebanese immigration authorities.

03:28But in fairness, they are doing their level best.

03:30And we will keep on coordinating, cooperating through our embassy on the ground.

03:34And of course, we will prepare them for flights once they get their respective clearances out of Lebanese immigration.

03:44To the Filipinos who are asking for assistance, what can they do or call for?

03:50And can you show us the process they need to do if they want to avail of the repatriation program of the government?

04:00Okay. We have a 1348 hotline.

04:03Let me begin with the 1348 hotline here in our country.

04:09And here in our 1348 hotline, plus 632-1348 of course, if they need to communicate from outside our country.

04:20And we also have a Lebanon help desk where we also have hotlines.

04:28Just go to our DMW page, our Facebook page.

04:35We also have a Facebook page of our embassy and our Migrant Workers Office.

04:40Just go to PE Beirut and MWO Migrant Workers Office Beirut.

04:46We also have a Facebook page.

04:48So you can also submit a comment there.

04:51There is a message on the Facebook page aside from the phone call.

04:55After we receive the call, we call it a request for assistance.

04:59After we receive the request for assistance, we immediately process it.

05:03Of course, we ask for the necessary documents.

05:05Essentially, it's the passport and residence permit.

05:09And then we forward the documentation to Lebanese Immigration.

05:13And when the documents come out to Lebanese Immigration, we book for flight tickets,

05:17arrangement for flights for return home.

05:20And then of course, if they need accommodation, they can follow our countrymen

05:26or they can go to Migrant Workers Office.

05:28It's accessible in Beirut if they can afford it.

05:31And we will immediately bring them to our shelters.

05:34I can't say for security reasons where our shelters are and what nature our shelters are.

05:41But after that, they can be brought to the shelter.

05:44They can stay there while the exit clearance is being processed and their plane ticket or flight home.

05:52All right. Sek Hans, for our countrymen,

05:55to our countrymen who were repatriated from Lebanon,

05:59what assistance will they receive when they arrive here in our country?

06:05Yes. Thank you for the question, Usec.

06:07Since day one, our President ordered the whole-of-government approach to the refugees,

06:14not only from Lebanon, but also from Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

06:18And more or less, we have already helped more than 1,400 in the four places I mentioned.

06:26There is financial assistance. It's a safety net.

06:30When they arrive, 150,000 from the DMW and the OWA.

06:35A safety net to stem them over their absence from work for six months.

06:42Usec will add 20,000 pesos.

06:48So the financial assistance for a total of P170,000 will be extended for seven months.

06:55Sekted Erbosa and the DOH, his team is there for medical purposes.

07:00It's also a safety net, so to speak.

07:02Because somehow, the refugees will be able to pay their expenses if Sekted Erbosa is there

07:07And free medical services and treatment.

07:10Psychosocial counseling is included.

07:12The National Center for Mental Health.

07:14Because some of them experienced, should I say, a traumatic experience of weakness

07:21or the feeling of rocket attacks and bombs exploding.

07:26And then, DG Kiko Benitez and TESDA, there are free vouchers.

07:32They can choose a walk-tech course.

07:36Any walk-tech institution they want to go to or visit.

07:41Where they want to take a walk-tech course.

07:45To enhance their skills.

07:47And then, the DMW will also provide employment facilitation.

07:52Katuwang Nandole, Sekbeni, Laguesma.

07:55For local employment and overseas employment.

07:57Livelihood is also included.

07:59We have partnerships with DTI, DOT, and DA.

08:04For livelihood access to those programs and activities.

08:08So, it's somewhat ready.

08:11But it all boils down to the whole-of-government approach.

08:15That is well set in place from day one.

08:19That is what our President is doing.

08:21Secretary Kakdak, correct me if I'm wrong.

08:25We have 11,000 OFWs, is that correct?

08:28Yes.

08:29In Lebanon.

08:30That's right.

08:31And most of them are in Beirut, is that correct?

08:34You know, most of them are in Beirut.

08:36Most of them are domestic workers or OFWs.

08:40If they go home and express their desire to go home,

08:43where are they part of Lebanon?

08:46And what are their jobs?

08:50They are mostly in Beirut, central Beirut.

08:53In the southern part, where Hidwaan and Sigalod first exploded.

08:58There were less than 100 OFWs there.

09:01And now, there are less than 10.

09:04They chose to stay behind while others have evacuated themselves to Beirut

09:09and into our shelters.

09:11So, most of them are in Beirut.

09:14We also have communications with the Filipino community there.

09:18Ambassador Balatbat on the ground has been in constant communication

09:22with the Filipino community leaders and representatives.

09:25So, we know for sure that our OFWs know about the contact information

09:33of our embassy and migrant workers' offices.

09:37But what we see here is that the majority of them are choosing to stay in Lebanon

09:42because, as you said, only 488 of them have returned home

09:47and maybe less than 1,000 out of 11,000.

09:51So, more Filipinos choose to stay.

09:53Does this mean, because our fellow Filipinos are worried,

09:57it's not that dangerous if they stay in Beirut

10:01because there are still 10,000-plus Filipinos who choose to stay?

10:06Yeah, we're still in voluntary repatriation mode, alert level 3.

10:10That's why what we're doing now is to encourage them to go home.

10:15There are OFWs, of course, as I said, around 514,

10:20we're sure that they want to go home.

10:22Now, as to whether or not some will decide to go home remains to be seen.

10:27But I would also attribute this to the nature of the work of our OFWs in Lebanon, in Beirut.

10:33Most of them are in Beirut.

10:34They are in domestic work.

10:36They live or they stay with their employer households.

10:39So, they have a sense of personal commitment and dedication to their work,

10:44loyalty to their employers.

10:47So, that's it.

10:48The nature of their work really would have emotional ties to their families

10:59and therefore, they would have their own emotional reasons, personal reasons

11:03as to why they don't want to go home.

11:05Of course, there is the income that they are earning now.

11:09But all told, it's the nature of their work.

11:12Again, the important thing at this stage in voluntary repatriation

11:16is that our lines of communication, our services, our shelters,

11:21our repatriation services and post-repatriation services are open.

11:25That's what's important for now.

11:26That's what the President has ordered.

11:28No one is stopping their employers.

11:32We heard the news.

11:35Admittedly, there are cases where the employer really needs to be convinced

11:39even if they want to go home.

11:41And rest assured, our labor attachés here,

11:46the welfare officers of Admin Arnel and OWA,

11:50they have expertise in talking not only to our OFWs but also to their employers.

11:58So, we have persuasive strategies or systems that we are working on

12:05to convince the employers to send our OFWs home.

12:09Again, in fairness to the employers, generally speaking,

12:13they have been cooperative.

12:15They are just doing what our OFWs want.

12:18I asked that during the last batch last weekend

12:22because the repatriation only resumed last weekend

12:25after maybe almost two weeks of flight cancellations in Beirut International.

12:32And I asked them,

12:34admittedly, there are also employers who say,

12:37it's a waste, you should go home.

12:39But we understood the situation.

12:41You have a family in the Philippines and you need to be with your family in the Philippines.

12:45So, we can't avoid it.

12:47Again, the personal dynamics and trust and loyalty that goes between

12:52an employer and employee in a domestic worker relationship,

12:57employment relationship.

12:58So, we go through, should I say, these human experiences

13:04of talking to, hand-holding, convincing the employer as well as assuring the OFW

13:13that there will be adequate government support upon their return home.

13:17So, as of now, Lebanon is still in Alert Level 3.

13:22Once it is elevated to Alert Level 4,

13:25how prepared is the government for our fellow countrymen

13:29who will be forced to return home?

13:32And what is the possible scenario when it reaches Alert Level 4 in Lebanon?

13:39Yes, we stand ready.

13:41The President, while at work in the ASEAN Summit,

13:44in the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos last week,

13:48ordered all the relevant departments, the MWDFA and the DND,

13:52to stand ready in the event of mandatory repatriation

13:56and ordered all of us to mobilize our resources and assets.

14:00We are helping our OFWs in the event of an even more dire emergency,

14:10which is Alert Level 4,

14:12and to mobilize all government resources and assets in the process.

14:16We have been in close touch.

14:17Just yesterday, the DFAD, DND, and the DMW reached out to the DMW

14:23to secure the directive of our beloved President.

14:26And we stand ready.

14:28We stand ready, rest assured, to mobilize all our resources and our assets.

14:32Whether it's government resources or assets,

14:35or government resources in tandem with the private sector

14:40who can help us mobilize to help our OFWs, we stand ready.

14:44All right, Sec. In other talks,

14:47you recently forged a partnership with TESDA for the skills enhancement of our OFWs.

14:54Please share the details of this, Sec. Hans.

14:57Yes, yes. We're proud to join hands with a Casimanoa, Kababayan, San Egros Occidental,

15:05former representative from Silay City District,

15:08DG Deputy Director General Kiko Benitez, Sec. Kiko Benitez,

15:14and the TESDA team.

15:16Sec. T.Y. Caunan and other DMW officials are there to join forces with TESDA.

15:23As we all know, skills are not just a means to enhance employment opportunity,

15:31but according to our law, are the highest form of OFW protection.

15:35There is no other OFW who has reached the level of skills that are suitable for his job abroad.

15:44This way, his employer will be able to provide him with employment guarantees,

15:52entitlements under the laws of the host country and our laws here in the Philippines.

15:57So we work in tandem now with TESDA

16:00to make sure that if there is an OFW who needs to improve or enhance his skills while abroad,

16:10we can help him as a preparation for his career path,

16:17his employment pathway, and his return to our country or reintegration.

16:23That is one of the foremost directives of our President, DG Kiko Benitez,

16:29to ensure that Filipinos returning to the Philippines will be able to enhance their skillsets

16:36in such a way that they can smoothly mainstream themselves back into Filipino socio-economic life.

16:46That is one of our objectives.

16:49Of course, there are other objectives, such as those who are still looking for jobs.

16:57We are ensuring, again, with skills being the highest form of protection,

17:01that their training will be suitable for their host country.

17:05They will not be under-employed or under-classified when they arrive there.

17:10The needs of the host country, the training that they receive here in the Philippines,

17:16and not just for other countries, but for our labor market,

17:21is a world-class standard of our OFWs.

17:25We develop a world-class talent base here in our country.

17:30And then lastly, of course, to the distressed workers who are returning,

17:35we are giving them opportunities.

17:37Most of them are OFWs coming home distressed due to welfare cases abroad.

17:43We want to give them a safety net, a soft landing when they return,

17:48through adequate training programs such as barista programs,

17:51or even welding for some, or culinary walk-tech programs,

17:58so that when they return, again, they will be able to adjust to Filipino socio-economic life.

18:03Okay, a message for our countrymen who are still stuck in Lebanon and their families.

18:11Yes, the message is very simple.

18:15The hotline is 1348.

18:17You will be assured of adequate government services.

18:20Plus 632-1348 if you are abroad.

18:24You will be assured of our services,

18:27listening, and responding to those who are sleeping in our beloved OFWs and OFW families.

18:35Our hotline in Lebanon is plus 961-791-10729.

18:43Plus 961-791-10729.

18:47Just go to our Facebook page,

18:50Migrant Workers Office Lebanon, Beirut Facebook page,

18:53Philippine Embassy Beirut Facebook page,

18:56so that we can help you.

18:59Don't worry.

19:01We will help you.

19:02Thank you very much.

19:04Thank you very much for your time,

19:07Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Kakdang.

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