CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Central Visayas has noted an increase in the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) seeking assistance for repatriation.
OWWA attributes the increase to more OFWs becoming aware of the various government programs available to them.
“There is an increase sa repatriation kay naa nama’y awareness ang atoang mga OFWs. Unlike before, dili pa kayo sila aware nga naa’y programs,” said OWWA welfare officer I and repatriation focal person Antonio U. Ordoña Jr.
(There is an increase in repatriation assistance because our OFWs are now more aware. Unlike before, many OFWs were unaware of the programs available for them.)
OWWA’s repatriation program provides assistance to OFWs who are facing severe distress, including sickness, abuse, or crisis situations abroad by facilitating their safe return to the Philippines.
“Mo sugat ta sa airport. Atong i-assist for direct residence or direct hospital nga facility nga atong i-endorse,” he said.
(We meet them at the airport. We then assist them to provide assistance in taking them either to their homes directly or to medical facilities.)
Immediate needs
Records show that from Dec. 27, 2023 to Dec. 26, 2024, OWWA Central Visayas provided airport assistance to a total of 995 OFWs and 54 human remains.
In the same period, 20 OFWs were temporarily accommodated for one night, while 41 medically ill, 26 physically ill, and one mentally ill worker were either provided with direct assistance or referred to local hospitals for further treatment.
The local OWWA office also provided domestic transport fare to 563 repatriated workers, providing meals for 245 of them, with a total cost of P299,376.39.
Based on records, most of the distressed OFWs they have assisted were employed in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan.
According to welfare officer Jeffrey B. Signo, the most common issues reported by the repatriated OFWs are contract violations such as unpaid or delayed salaries, poor accommodation, and discrepancies in the signed employment contracts.
OWWA also offers reintegration programs, such as the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay program which offers livelihood aid to help distressed or displaced OFWs reintegrate into Philippine society.
“Aside ana nga assistance, we have a livelihood nga start-up capital… nga ganahan mag-involve or mag-indulge into business, small business enterprise, maka-avail sad sila,” Signo said.
(Aside from the repatriation program, we also have a livelihood program offering a start-up capital… for those interested in small business ventures, they can avail of this.) (MSH/PIA Cebu)
