PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE MASS DEPORTATION OF PINOYS FROM U.S. —  SENATORS

SENATORS on Tuesday urged concerned government agencies to create a comprehensive contingency plan to assist undocumented Filipinos in the United States if President-elect Donald Trump opts to implement a large-scale immigration crackdown.

According to Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, the government should provide logistical support for eventual repatriation and help returning Filipinos find jobs or other means of livelihood.

He said instead of sounding alarmist, government officials should focus on creating a comprehensive contingency plan to assist our “kababayans.”

“Madaling sabihin, pero mahirap gawin. Madaling sabihin na sana piliin na lang na umuwi ng mga undocumented nating kababayan nasa U.S. kesa antayin pa nilang mai-deport,” he said.

In addition to the efforts of concerned government agencies to create logistical support plans for eventual repatriation, he said authorities should also help returning Filipinos by providing them with jobs or other means of livelihood.

“Apektado rin ang mga pamilyang umaasa sa padala ng mga kababayan natin na walang legal na basehan ang paninirahan sa U.S. sakali man na mapilitan silang umuwi ng bansa,” said Estrada.

“Our government should be prepared to offer financial assistance programs to help families affected by the loss of a financial lifeline,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos urged Filipinos in the US to stay calm and set aside some money to pay for a lawyer, find another job, and for the family.

The female senator urged her colleagues in Congress to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with all of the necessary funds to respond promptly and adequately to the impending deportation of more than 200,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US.

“The DFA must be adequately prepared to provide timely and effective assistance to our ‘kababayans’ facing this crisis,” she said citing allocations of at least P12.4 billion and up to P27.286 billion to meet any surge in costs.

Marcos said the current allocation is only 5 to 10 percent of this requirement — a significant shortfall that must be addressed.

Under both the 2025 National Expenditure Program and the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, the DFA is only allocated P1.259 billion for the item “Protection of the Rights and Promotion of Welfare of Overseas Filipinos” from which repatriation assistance is sourced.

As of September 30, 2024, the DFA has spent P139,162,310.72 to provide repatriation assistance to 1,020 Filipinos.