Seven overseas Filipino workers from Palawan who were repatriated because of the conflict in the Middle East have received financial assistance, but returning workers must first present proof that the fighting forced them to come home.
OWWA Palawan Family Welfare Officer Adignita Elijan said the agency requires certification from the worker’s employer to confirm that the repatriation was conflict-related. The amount of assistance may also depend on the country where the OFW was employed.
“Ngayon ay tuloy-tuloy ang pamimigay sa mga naipit sa giyera, pero ang iba ay hindi pa nakakapunta sa office, ito ay ina-apply-an,” Elijan said.
“Number one ay hinihingian natin ng certification na sila ay naipit sa giyera. Merong mga umuuwi na hindi naman sila naipit kaya to prove ay may hinihingi tayong certification,” she added.
OWWA Palawan is still waiting for confirmation on whether other Palaweños are included in the succeeding batches of workers brought home from the Middle East.
The agency said OFWs are assisted from their departure overseas until their temporary stay in Manila while waiting for flights to Palawan.
Workers whose contracts were cut short because of war or other distressing circumstances may also apply for assistance under OWWA’s Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay reintegration program.
The program provides up to ₱20,000 in livelihood assistance to qualified returning OFWs. It also includes psychosocial counseling and enterprise training.
“Binibigay ito sa mga ‘di natapos ang kontrata due to distress. Kapag hindi natapos dahil sa giyera, sakop sila,” Elijan said.
“Kapag nakauwi at nakita natin na active ang membership niya, siya ay ₱20,000; do’n sa hindi active, depende sa membership,” she added.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said more than 2.5 million Filipinos were working in the Middle East. He also reported that over 12,000 OFWs had been repatriated since the conflict began.
Returning workers may receive livelihood support through the AKSYON Fund and OWWA-Kabuhayan programs. Some are also referred to Public Employment Service Offices and job fairs or assisted in finding new employment overseas.
“Patuloy ang ating ugnayan sa iba’t ibang bansa at ang suporta natin sa mga OFW para sa kanilang kaligtasan, lalo na at may mga kababayan tayong nasawi o hanggang ngayon ay nawawala sa Middle East,” Marcos said. (PIA Palawan)
