MANILA — Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is scheduled to visit Kuwait next week to personally assess the condition of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid increasing requests for repatriation due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
During a press briefing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, Cacdac assured the public that the Philippine government continues to closely monitor the situation of OFWs in Kuwait and other affected countries across the region.
“As of today, 9,038 OFWs have already been repatriated, and repatriation flights will continue, including those from Kuwait where more workers have expressed their intention to return home,” Cacdac said.
The DMW, in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and other government agencies, is implementing a whole-of-government approach to assist affected OFWs.
According to the DMW, around 17,517 OFWs have already received financial assistance. Of the total number, 9,822 were repatriated workers, while 7,695 OFWs remained overseas but experienced reduced work hours, salary adjustments, or disrupted shifts because of the regional conflict.
Cacdac said OFWs who stayed in their host countries received USD200 in on-site financial assistance. Meanwhile, repatriated workers were granted PHP10,000 cash assistance through the DMW’s Aksyon Fund, along with an additional PHP10,000 from OWWA and other forms of support from partner government agencies.
The government is also extending reintegration support through various programs. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is offering free training vouchers for upskilling, while the Department of Health (DOH) provides free medical check-ups. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is also assisting returning OFWs in finding employment opportunities.
Cacdac added that some OFWs who initially paid for their own airline tickets during the early stages of repatriation, but were later affected by flight cancellations, were reimbursed and provided financial assistance by the government.
Meanwhile, the DMW said it is strengthening its reintegration initiatives through the National Reintegration Network to help returning OFWs rebuild their lives in the Philippines.
The agency assured the public that repatriation operations and assistance programs will continue in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. – via PNA
