Phl ready to evacuate OFWs from Korea

MANILA, Philippines - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) yesterday expressed readiness to evacuate 50,000 Filipinos staying in South Korea if necessary.

Tension between South and North Korea is seen to escalate because of the latter’s declaration that it intends to launch a long-range rocket next month to put a satellite into orbit.

The United States and other nations consider it a thinly veiled missile test that would breach a United Nations ban.

OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon said the Philippine government is now checking on the identities and whereabouts of all Filipinos in South Korea in preparation for a possible evacuation.

“We are now checking on the database the workers deployed in South Korea and we are ready to provide the necessary assistance,” Dimzon said.

Although there are overstaying Filipinos in South Korea at this time, she said most of the Filipinos there are documented and members of the OWWA.

Aside from repatriation, Dimzon said OWWA can also help those who would be displaced from Korea through skills training and other forms of assistance so they could put up alternative sources of livelihood.

Dimzon also assured Filipinos in South Korea and their families that there is nothing to fear because contingency measures are in place to ensure the protection of the overseas Filipino workers.  

Based on government figures, there are about 20,000 documented and legitimate OWWA members in South Korea.