Pinoy killed in Lebanon identified

MANILA, Philippines - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) yesterday identified one of the three Filipinos killed when a building collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon.

OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon identified one of the casualties as Juvelyn Concon, 32, of Agusan del Sur.

Dimzon said Concon went to Lebanon to work as a household service worker before the Philippines ordered the deployment of Filipino workers there.

“As a legitimate member of OWWA, Concon’s family will receive P200,000 death benefits and  P20,000 burial assistance,” she said.

Dimzon said OWWA has no record nor any information on the two other Filipino fatalities believed to be undocumented workers.

Dimzon said the Philippine government is working for the repatriation of the bodies of the three Filipino victims.

At least 26 people including the three Filipinos were killed when the building crashed Sunday night.

Meanwhile, OWWA reported that 40 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrived from Syria yesterday afternoon.

Dimzon said the OFWs arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on board Emirates flight 332.

Dimzon said the OFWs were among those who availed of the mandatory repatriation program of the government as the peace and order situation in Syria has worsened.

OWWA repatriation teams provided assistance to the OFWs upon their arrival at the NAIA. The OFWs could also avail of livelihood and other reintegration programs.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said a total of 645 OFWs have been repatriated from Syria since March 2011. – With Pia Lee-Brago