Marcos: P3 billion to boost repatriation, reintegration of Mideast OFWs

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has increased the funding for the repatriation and reintegration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the Middle East war to ensure their access to economic opportunities upon their return to the country, Malacañang said yesterday.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said Marcos has directed the release of an additional P3 billion to bankroll the whole repatriation chain, which covers post-departure assistance, flights and reintegration.

The President, Recto added, augmented the OFW assistance fund because he does not want repatriation to be “a mere airport-to-airport thing.”

“When they land here, they should not be left behind to fend for themselves. What the President wants is to bring the needy to the provinces and most of all, provide them economic opportunities,” he said in a statement. “War or not, there are Filipinos in extreme distress that we should bring home.”

Citing information from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Recto said returning OFWs may avail themselves of a “standard welcome package” that includes financial assistance, psychosocial counseling, medical assessment, reemployment guidance and livelihood.

“By tapping the skills of the OFWs honed by their work abroad, society benefits as well. This is a kind of technology transfer that helps the economy. This is a brain gain we need,” he said.

A total of 10,446 Filipinos have been repatriated from the Middle East through the humanitarian flights organized by the migrant workers department as of June 17. The trips also served as medical evacuation for ailing Filipinos.

The DMW has also held 15 reintegration and job fairs throughout the country to provide migrant workers access to job opportunities, livelihood support and financial literacy.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has also extended livelihood assistance to 664 returning workers. Each beneficiary can get as much as P20,000 as a small business startup aid.

The government’s assistance for returning OFWs also cover Philippine-licensed teachers, who may benefit from a mechanism that will allow them to work in public schools. Some 10,000 former migrant workers had joined the public teaching corps through several administrations.

Last week, the US and Iran signed an agreement that will put an end to the Middle East war, a conflict that has raised fuel prices, disrupted supply chains and displaced several Filipino migrant workers.