In Beirut, Lebanon in 2020, I saw bullet-ridden buildings, gun-trotting men roaming the streets and I passed by malls that were padlocked.
At the time, there was an economic implosion because of the hard times, worsened by the pandemic. There was also an explosion that had just ripped through the capital. Distressed Filipinos in the Middle Eastern country, not surprisingly, were desperate to go back home to the Philippines, even though they weren't sure what awaited them in their home country. I was there to cover their repatriation flight back to Manila.
Fast forward to 2024 and the situation has worsened. Overseas Filipinos (OFWs) who chose to stay in Lebanon instead of joining the repatriation flights in 2020, and those who came after, now have no choice but to go home because of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Israel's airstrikes on suspected Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon continue.
According to the Department of Migrant Workers, a series of nine flights will be available until Oct. 28 as commercial airlines in Beirut have resumed operations.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in an interview with TeleRadyo that 430 OFWs and 28 dependents have so far returned to Manila since October last year when hostilities flared between Israel and Gaza.
If the 151 OFWs return home as planned, the total number of repatriated Filipino workers will rise to around 600, he said.
The next problem
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 13, 2024-Ausgabe von The Philippine Star.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 13, 2024-Ausgabe von The Philippine Star.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Star-studded gala to serve as prelude to MMFF's golden edition
\"We're offering many activities to promote the Philippine movie industry.\"
HOW SAMANTHA PANLILIO IS MAKING HER MARK BEYOND THE 'HEIRESS' TAG
Samantha is one of People Asia's 'Women of Style and Substance' this year. She's also part of the publication's October-November issue cover.
Forest Lake builds legacy as premier memorial park developer
Forest Lake continues to uphold its commitment to compassionate care, innovative services and customer-centric core values - factors that, to this day, help the industry pioneer sustain its position in the deathcare industry.
MerryMart opens largest standalone store
The MerryMart Group of tycoon Edgar \"Injap\" Sia II has opened in Tarlac its largest standalone grocery, marking the 135th branch of its supermarket, with expansion in eight more on the line.
Vivant exits Watermatic Phl
Listed energy and water conglomerate Vivant Corp. is selling its 60-percent stake in Watermatic Philippines Corp. (WMP) to its joint venture partner, Israel-based WaterMatic International Ltd.
Figaro brews up slight name change
Food business Figaro Coffee Group Inc. (FCG) is no longer just brewing up expansion plans, but also cooking up a name change to include the non-coffee ventures in its portfolio.
HEADS UP, NEW GRADUATES: SM's job fairs got it all for you
SM J.O.B.S. continues to provide employment opportunities for job seekers, particularly to new graduates who recently entered the labor force. From July to September, SM Supermalls hosted more than 40 job fairs across the country, helping more than 25,000 job seekers connect with employers.
Digital banks face asset quality risks
AMID GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Red flags and vital signs
HR: 57 BP: 110/70 RR:18 Temp: 36.4 This information is sent to me through our CG (group chat), which monitors the patient's condition. These are called vital signs. Vital signs are critical indicators of a patient's essential body functions and are routinely observed in hospitals to assess and track a patient's health status.
Aboitiz Foods opens $45-M Vietnam feed mill
Aboitiz Foods, the integrated food and business arm of the Aboitiz Group, inaugurated last week its $45-million modern feed mill in Vietnam as it seeks to solidify its footprint in Southeast Asia.
