58 OFW applicants rescued in Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines — Fifty-eight overseas Filipino worker (OFW) applicants have been rescued from a suspected illegal accommodation facility in Parañaque City.

Authorities discovered that the site allegedly lacked proper registration, was overcrowded and failed to meet safety requirements.

The rescue followed a closure operation led by the Department of Migrant Workers on July 25.

The DMW said the facility was allegedly operating outside government-prescribed standards for accommodations housing OFW applicants.

All 58 rescued applicants are women. They were bound for domestic work in the Middle East, the DMW said.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided transportation assistance and transferred the rescued applicants to a shelter operated by one of OWWA’s partner facilities.

The agency said it is also conducting welfare assessments, documentation, case management and other necessary interventions to ensure the applicants’ safety and continued access to government assistance while their cases are being addressed.

The OWWA said it is coordinating with the DMW and other government agencies to facilitate the welfare assistance and referral services for the job applicants.