By Genesis Gabriel P. Baculbas | PTV – DMIS Intern
In accordance with the directive issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to support OFWs and their families in crises, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) repatriated a group of undocumented OFWs and their children from the UAE, along with stranded OFWs from Dubai.
A total of 52 individuals were greeted by DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City onboard Philippine Airlines flight PR659.
The group included 19 Filipina amnesty beneficiaries, 23 children, and 10 OFWs stranded en route to Jordan due to rising tensions in the Middle East.
The repatriation process was facilitated by the DMW and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), with the Philippine Embassy in Dubai assisting in documentation, and with the involvement of UAE in coordinated DNA testing.
Secretary Cacdac said, “This repatriation is part of the government’s continuing efforts to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in times of crisis and unfortunate situations, as instructed by our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The government is here to provide all the assistance and necessary support they need.”
He further elaborated that, “There’s criminal and morality codes in the UAE. If there is a mother who gives birth and hindi known ‘yung status or out of wedlock, ay nagiging undocumented yung bata. Therefore, mahirap in terms of getting medical treatment, and education. So it’s important na maiuuwi sila agad. We have our lawyers handling all these cases. They have been cleared and now they are home.”
Concurrently, the repatriated OFWs also received immediate financial aid and airport assistance from the DMW Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund, with the additional benefit of reintegration support and other forms of assistance from other governments.
Moreover, the stranded OFWs bound for Amman, Jordan were also provided immediate financial aid by the DMW and OWWA. To date, the DMW and OWWA have assisted 28 OFWs stranded in Dubai due to temporary airport closures in the Middle East.
— dac / bjlc / jpv
