DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                        2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                     Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-600-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                             13 July 2006

DFA ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FILIPINOS BOUND FOR LEBANON

13 July 2006 — The Department of Foreign Affairs advises all Filipinos bound for Lebanon to postpone their travel to Lebanon in view of the current security situation in that country.

Upon the recommendation of the Department, the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation has instructed all its immigration officers in all ports of departure in the Philippines to hold the departure of all Filipinos bound for Lebanon.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo has instructed the Crisis Management Committee of the DFA and Philippine Ambassador to Beirut Al Francis Bichara to closely monitor the security situation in Lebanon, and to review as well as update the contingency plan for Filipinos there.  Department records show that there are about 30,000 OFWs in Lebanon.

Secretary Romulo has likewise directed the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General in the Middle East to extend all assistance to Filipinos en route to Beirut so as to facilitate their immediate return to the Philippines.

The Department will review this travel advisory as the situation in Lebanon develops.  END

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