MANILA, Philippines – While shunned by 8 out of 10 Filipinos in Libya, the Philippine government’s efforts to bring them out of the conflict-stricken country could cost more than P169 million, Rappler’s computations based on government estimates showed.

In an interview with reporters, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the government is set to pay around $1.8 million, or P78,228,000*, to rent the 1,500-seater ship that will ferry Filipinos out of Libya.

The ship will bring them to Malta from Libya either by Thursday or Friday, August 7 or August 8.

The Philippine government will pay for a chartered flight to bring the repatriates to Manila from Malta.

Per head, the cost of a charter flight “equates to a business class ticket,” Del Rosario said. If the government fills the plane, it will have to spend around $1,400 per head**. That is at least P60,844 per person.

If 1,500 passengers, the maximum number, board the ship rented by the Philippine government, then the Philippines will have to spend P91.266 million ($2.1 million) for their chartered flight tickets.

Combined, the rented ship and the chartered flights could cost the Philippines P169.494 million ($3.9 million).

That’s around P112,996 ($2,600) per head – assuming that the ferry and the flights would serve 1,500 people.

‘Committed to get everyone out’

On Tuesday, Del Rosario clarified that 1,500 Filipinos in Libya have signified their desire – “we’re not even at intention, we’re at desire” – to return to the Philippines.

He said 800 of these Filipinos come from Tripoli, 400 from Misrata, and 300 from Benghazi.

“We’re counting hopefully on getting as many people as possible,” Del Rosario said. “We’re committed to get everyone out.”

The DFA has said convincing Filipinos to evacuate from Libya remains a big challenge.

On Monday, DFA spokesman Charles Jose said up to 11,000 of the 13,000 Filipinos in Libya – or 84.6% – so far choose to remain in Libya because they fear joblessness. (READ: Filipinos in Libya: We can survive war, not joblessness)

Citing reports on Filipinos who refuse repatriation, Jose said: “They would rather take the chance. They think they have a greater chance of surviving the war, rather than surviving the uncertainty of being without any work here.”

Libya has suffered chronic insecurity since dictator Moammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011, with the new government unable to check militias that helped to remove him and facing a growing threat from Islamist groups.

Fighting between rival militias in Tripoli over the past 3 weeks and bloody clashes between Islamists and army special forces in the eastern city of Benghazi have prompted several countries to evacuate their nationals and diplomatic staff. 

The 13,000 Filipinos in Libya comprise around 0.59% of the total of 2.2 million Filipinos forced to work abroad, as of 2013, largely due to the lack of jobs in the Philippines.

To help these Filipinos, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said the government should raise to P1 billion ($23 million) the proposed emergency assistance fund for distressed Filipinos.

The original proposal under the 2015 budget is P527 million. 

Recto asked, “Do we have funds to charter planes in the event that we need to bring Filipinos out of the next hot spot?” – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

*$1 = P43.46

**Editor’s note: On August 5, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told reporters that a chartered flight will cost around $6,000 to $7,000 per head. On August 6, DFA spokesman Charles Jose said Del Rosario is correcting himself as the actual cost is around $1,400 per head. This is after Philippine Airlines adjusted the price.