By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
On the heels of logistical delays encountered by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in expediting the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East, the first batch of OFW-repatriates have safely arrived home on Tuesday, June 24.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, “The safe and successful repatriation of our OFWs from affected areas from the Middle East was through our one-country coordinated efforts as directed by our President.”
He added, noting the temporary closure of Qatari airspace amid external attacks, “We experienced flight delays due to airspace restrictions but what’s really important is that we are here at home, safe and sound.”
The first batch of OFW-repatriates consisting of 26 OFWs from Israel, three from Jordan, one from Palestine, and one from Qatar, was accompanied by Secretary Cacdac and Assistant Secretary Veneciao Legaspi from Amman, Jordan.
All the repatriates were provided with immediate P150,000 financial support from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), along with airport assistance, including temporary shelter or onward transportation to their respective provinces.
The displaced migrant workers would also receive livelihood assistance through DMW’s National Reintegration Center for OFWs, helping them to establish their livelihood ventures or finding alternative employment opportunities, on top of the free skills training vouchers from the Technical Education, Skills, and Development Authority (TESDA) and business training from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“We stand ready to assist those who are willing to be repatriated. We are encouraging OFWs to avail of the voluntary repatriation program. And sa pag-uwi nila, a whole-of-government approach ang nakahanda, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as our moving force, and unprecedented whole-of-government assistance and other forms of support under the Bagong Pilipinas”, Cacdac added.
Meanwhile, the Migrant Workers chief lauded the coordinated efforts from various government agencies in the country and their counterparts in the Middle East which ensured the successful repatriation of displaced Filipino migrant workers.
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