Manila: Eighteen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned to the Philippines, affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. They arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Friday, facilitated by the government.
According to a news release by Philippine News Agency, The repatriated individuals include 14 caregivers and four hotel workers. They were welcomed at NAIA by representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant government agencies.
According to DMW Undersecretary Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, the government is committed to supporting these returning workers, particularly through financial aid and psychosocial support. Each returning OFW will receive cash assistance worth PHP50,000 from the DMW and an additional PHP50,000 from OWWA.
The returnees are also set to benefit from skills training vouchers and additional financial help from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Moreover, they will receive psychosocial evaluation and assessment services from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
DOH will conduct an initial medical examination on the OFWs, and those requiring further medical attention will be provided with additional referral services. OFWs with school-aged children will receive financial assistance from DSWD.
The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and OWWA plan to offer various livelihood, skills, and capacity-building interventions for those choosing to remain in the country. DMW Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed that support would be provided to those looking for other work opportunities.
Cacdac, currently in Saudi Arabia for the ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh, reiterated the government's preparedness to support returning OFWs. This development follows the earlier return of 16 OFWs and a one-month-old infant on Wednesday.