The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently announced that President Noynoy Aquino approved its appeal to lower the alert level inLibya from 4 to 2. Alert level 4 means that evacuation or mandatory repatriation is necessary while phase 2 is the restriction phase.

The lower alert level would allow the redeployment of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) toLibya. Filipino workers who chose to remain inLibyadespite the hostilities would also be allowed to renew employment contracts. The lifting of the deployment ban inLibyadoes not cover newly-hired OFWs

DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario said, “This lowering of the alert level means the redeployment of returning overseas Filipino workers Filipino workers (OFWs) to Libya, as well as allowing Filipinos who chose to stay behind to return to the country and allow them to return to Libya.”

The process of redeploying OFWs toLibyawould be gradual though. The DFA recommended to the POEA that the redeployment with the workers in the medical and oil field. Redeployment would only be allowed upon presentation of existing employment, working visas and return to work letter from employer.