By Brian Campued
In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East—from repatriation to reintegration efforts—the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended more than P3.2 million worth of financial aid to OFWs who have returned to the Philippines.
As of Thursday, DSWD Protective Programs Asec. Ada Colico said the agency has served 3,260 affected OFWs, including 609 who received a total of P3.209 million to start anew in their home provinces.
Social workers provided psychosocial first aid to 2,851 repatriated OFWs who sought government assistance to facilitate their return to the country, as well as 409 OFWs stranded at airports due to travel restrictions.
A repatriated OFW from Ilocos Region and four from Central Luzon were also granted P20,000 each in livelihood assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
The DSWD Central Luzon, on the other hand, distributed P300,000 worth of medical assistance to another “OFW in crisis.”
Colico said these efforts “were part of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) framework that directs all agencies to ensure a whole-of-government response to support all sectors affected by the Middle East crisis.”
The DSWD official assured that they are in close coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other concerned government agencies to ensure successful reintegration of all OFWs returning from the Middle East.
According to DMW data from March 5 to April 23, a total of 7,408 OFWs and their dependents have returned to the Philippines, including 6,785 OFWs repatriated through government-chartered flights.
“Isinasagawa ang mga hakbang na ito alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga OFW at masuportahan ang kanilang maayos na pagbabalik at panibagong pagsisimula sa bansa,” the DMW said.
On safety of Filipino seafarers in Persian Gulf
Meanwhile, DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac went to Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers deployed to the Persian Gulf.
Malacañang said 1,161 Filipino seafarers aboard 22 vessels and five cruise ships have exited the Persian Gulf as of April 18, after being caught in the Middle East conflict.
“Ibinalita rin ng kalihim sa Pangulo ang ginagawang mga hakbang ng pamahalaan upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng iba pang marino na kasalukuyang nananatili pa rin sa Persian Gulf,” Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
She noted that 412 Filipino seafarers were employed under marine service provider Zamil Offshore.
“Nananatiling prayoridad ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga OFW sa ibayong-dagat sa kabila ng tensiyon doon (Middle East),” Usec. Castro said.
-jpv
