By Marita Moaje
MANILA – Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is to visit Kuwait next week to assess the condition of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as more seek repatriation amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region.
In a press briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Thursday, Cacdac assured that the Philippine government continues to monitor the situation in Kuwait as well as in other affected countries in the region.
“So we have 9,038 already repatriated as of today. And then the repatriation flights will continue. Among others, yung sa Kuwait. Kasi di ba napapabalita na meron pa rin kumbaga dumadami ‘yung mga nagnanais na umuwi sa (and then in Kuwait. Because it’s been reported that there are still, or that more people are wanting to go home from the) state of Kuwait,” he said.
Cacdac said the DMW is working with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), together with other concerned government agencies, as this is a whole-of-government team effort.
Amid the crisis, he said the DMW has already extended financial assistance to about 17,517 OFWs.
Of the total beneficiaries, Cacdac said 9,822 were OFWs who opted to return to the Philippines, while 7,695 were workers who remained overseas but whose work hours, salaries, or shifts were affected by the ongoing tension.
He said the affected workers who decided to remain in the host country received USD200 on-site financial assistance, while those who were repatriated also received financial assistance, including a PHP10,000 cash from the DMW’s Aksyon Fund.
Meanwhile, OWWA provides another PHP10,000 cash, on top of other assistance given by partner agencies, like the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority offers free training vouchers for upskilling, while the Department of Health offers free health check-ups.
The Department of Labor and Employment is also helping repatriated OFWs in finding employment.
Cacdac said some OFWs who initially paid for their own airline tickets during the early part of the repatriation, but were affected by canceled flights, received financial assistance from the government.
Meanwhile, the DMW said the government is strengthening its reintegration support through the National Reintegration Network.
“Magpapatuloy ang repatriation efforts at pagbibigay ng kinakailangang suporta upang matiyak ang ligtas at maayos na pag-uwi ng mga apektadong OFWs, alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (The repatriation efforts and provision of necessary support to ensure the safe and orderly return of affected OFWs will continue, in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.),” Cacdac said. (PNA)
