Most of the 30,000 Filipinos in Lebanon work as domestic helpers, and some have refused to leave despite the violence, citing poverty and lack of opportunities at home.

But Arroyo said it was better to evacuate now than to wait until fighting has worsened.

"I want to assure our countrymen who come home from Lebanon and whoever is forced to leave for work overseas, it is our policy to allow our citizens to work only in safe places," she said in a televised statement. "Our country is always ready to put you out of harm's way and to help you find work and recover."

Arroyo said some of the workers evacuated from Lebanon will be redeployed to safer areas in the Middle East, like Dubai.

The president ordered a mandatory evacuation of all Filipinos in Lebanon on Wednesday. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said priority will be given to Filipinos in southern Lebanon, followed by evacuations in an area between Beirut and Sidon.

Most of the Filipinos are in Beirut, numbering nearly 19,000, while there are still 303 in Sidon, he said.

Those who refuse to be evacuated will be asked to sign a waiver, Conejos said.