The Philippine government has repatriated nearly 11,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their family members from the Middle East since March amid ongoing security concerns in the region.
“Simula noong Marso at hanggang ngayon ay nakapagpauwi na ang pamahalaan ng malapit-lapit na sa 11,000 ng ating mga kababayan mula sa Middle East. At ang huli po ay kahapon na 165 na galing po sila sa Kuwait (Since March and up to now, the government has repatriated nearly 11,000 of our countrymen from the Middle East. And the latest batch arrived yesterday, consisting of 165 individuals from Kuwait),” Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Chief Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan said in a Radyo Pilipinas interview on Wednesday.
“Tinawid pa po natin sila mula Kuwait papuntang Riyadh kasi kung maalala niyo nagkaroon ng pagbomba sa airport ng Kuwait last week, so minarapat natin na pinakaligtas ay yung ginagawa natin noong Marso at Abril na itawid ang ating mga kababayan mula Kuwait papuntang Saudi Arabia sa Riyadh para sa flight nila papuntang Manila (We transported them from Kuwait to Riyadh because, if you remember, there was a bombing at the Kuwait airport last week, so we deemed it safest to do what we did in March and April, which was to transport our fellow citizens from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh for their flight to Manila),” she said.
Upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, Caunan said the repatriates were brought to the government’s post-arrival and transit facilities near OWWA for processing and assistance before being sent back to their home provinces.
She assured that all members of the latest batch received financial assistance from OWWA, including transportation support for those returning to areas outside Metro Manila.
Aside from the immediate aid being provided by the government, Caunan said OWWA, in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other government agencies, is also strengthening government reintegration programs, including livelihood support, skills training, and job placement opportunities.
Based on their documentation and feedback from repatriated OFWs, she said, many who return to the country initially choose to spend time with their families after enduring difficult experiences abroad, but eventually begin exploring employment or entrepreneurial opportunities.
In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other government agencies, Caunan said livelihood assistance and training programs tailored to the needs of returning workers are also being provided.
She said some repatriated OFWs prefer to find jobs and stay in the country for good, while others want to work overseas again, but in a different country.
“Marami din po sa kanila ang nagsasabi sa amin ang gusto nila ay training. Domestic workers sila ngayon at gusto nila maging caregiver or housekeeper or barista (Many of them also tell us that what they want is training. They are domestic workers now and they want to become caregivers, housekeepers, or baristas),” Caunan said.
She said some returnees have already signified their intention to start small businesses.
“Meron din napapaiyak dahil talagang wala silang naipon at kailangan nila ng tulong para magsimula ng maliit na negosyo dito dahil ayaw na nilang umalis ng ating bansa (Others are also emotional because they really have no savings and need help to start a small business here because they no longer want to leave our country),” she added.
To support aspiring entrepreneurs, Caunan said OWWA has launched pilot livelihood initiatives, including its “Nego Kart” program, which provides small business assistance not only to OFWs but also to their family members.
She cited the case of a repatriated OFW whose family received support through the program and has since established a small enterprise that now provides income. (PNA)
