Repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) must invest wisely the financial assistance they receive from the government, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Arnell Ignacio advised on Tuesday.

Ignacio and the OWWA Repatriations and Assistance Division (RAD) team, together with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other concerned agencies, welcomed 35 OFWs from war-torn Lebanon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

“Planuhing mabuti ang paglalagakan ng pinansyal na tulong na ibinahagi ng pamahalaan upang hindi ito maaksaya ng walang saysay (Carefully plan where to invest the financial assistance distributed by the government so that it won’t go to waste),” Ignacio told the OFWs who availed of the voluntary repatriation program.

He said there are livelihood trainings and seminars that they may avail from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Meanwhile, the OWWA-RAD brought to the hospital one of the repatriates who has a kidney disease

Each of the OFW repatriates will receive PHP75,000 financial assistance from OWWA and another PHP75,000 from DMW.

They will also get medical and transportation assistance and hotel accommodations, if needed, while waiting for their flights to their provinces.

Ignacio called on other Filipinos in Lebanon who wish to go home to contact the DMW-OWWA One Repatriation Command Center through the 1348 hotline or send an email to repat@dmw.gov.ph.

Help desks are also open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City. (PNA)