Manila: In line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided assistance to more than 2,500 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were affected by the crisis in the Middle East. DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) reported that a total of 2,110 repatriated OFWs received psychosocial first aid (PFA). These OFWs arrived on flights from various countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, after seeking government assistance for their return.
According to Philippines News Agency, some 409 stranded OFWs also benefited from the DSWD's PFA. These individuals found themselves stranded at airports in the UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Kuwait, Ireland, Portugal, Iraq, and Oman due to travel restrictions stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Gulf Region. Besides the PFA, financial assistance exceeding PHP1 million was provided to 203 repatriated OFWs, and medical assistance worth PHP300,000 was extended to one OFW.
Every arriving OFW undergoes immediate assessment by DSWD social workers to determine the need for additional interventions. The DSWD has initiated the distribution of livelihood assistance to repatriated OFWs, with an initial five OFWs receiving PHP20,000 each from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) as seed capital. Furthermore, the DSWD's Field Offices continue to coordinate with relevant government agencies to support other returning OFWs.
The provision of livelihood assistance aligns with the Marcos administration's Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) framework. This initiative represents a comprehensive government effort to deliver livelihood support to sectors affected by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The DSWD is working closely with the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Department of Health to ensure immediate assistance for repatriated OFWs.
