PBBM RAISES AID FOR DISPLACED OFWs FROM P50K TO P150K

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has increased the financial assistance for displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from P50,000 to P150,000.

In an interview on Monday, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that the President ordered the increase in financial aid.

“So, from P50,000 ginawa na nating P75,000 from DMW and P75,000 from OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration). So that’s a P150,000 financial assistance upon return,” Cacdac told reporters.

Cacdac noted that other government agencies have also extended immediate assistance to the displaced OFWs upon their return.

He mentioned that the Department of Health (DOH) will provide physical check-ups upon the arrival of the affected OFWs, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will extend livelihood and financial assistance.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will provide training vouchers, while other agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will offer post-repatriation assistance.

Cacdac indicated that those who have already received the P50,000 in financial assistance are not covered by the increase.

He added that the financial assistance applies to both documented and undocumented OFWs. The OWWA provides additional programs for documented OFWs.

There are 11,360 OFWs in Lebanon, mostly in Beirut. Of this number, 356 have availed themselves of the government’s repatriation program.