More than 2,500 Filipinos displaced by the Middle East conflict have already received government welfare support, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) disclosed, as the agency confirmed it is prepared to extend both emergency cash assistance and longer-term livelihood programs to returning Overseas Filipino Workers.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said those repatriated Filipinos had been assisted through the department’s Disaster Response and Management Group. She also noted that five OFWs had each received P20,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
The agency’s response draws from two main programs — the SLP and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation — according to Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had directed the DSWD to ensure reintegration support was in place for workers forced to leave their jobs abroad.
Beyond individual grants, Gatchalian described a group-based model being organized under the SLP framework, where clusters of returning OFWs are formed into associations to collectively run enterprises.
“Meron rin kaming mga set up na inaayos namin ngayon. Inorganize natin yung mga OFW groups na umuwi into Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations. Ibig sabihin, grupo sila ng 20 OFWs at bubuo sila ng association,” he said.
He elaborated that the collective ventures being considered under this setup range from rice trading to garment manufacturing. “Normally yung group, yung negosyo nila, sama-sama sila, either magtayo ng malaking bigasan, meron mga patahian. Yan yung dalawang track,” he added.
OFWs seeking assistance may apply directly to the DSWD or wait for a referral from the Department of Migrant Workers. Gatchalian said the coordinated approach reflects a presidential directive for agencies to work in tandem rather than in silos.
“Kasi ang direktiba ng ating Pangulo is whole of government approach. Di lang isang Departamento ang tutulong sa pag-reintegrate o sa pagbigay ng kabuhayan sa mga OFW natin na pansamantalang nawalan ng pagkakakitaan,” he said.
