More than 3,000 overseas Filipino workers affected by the Middle East crisis have received government support through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which has so far disbursed PHP3.209 million in financial assistance to 609 repatriated OFWs as of April 23.
The funds are intended to help returning workers restart their lives in their home provinces, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary Ada Colico of the Protective Programs office.
Colico said the interventions fall under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport framework, which coordinates a whole-of-government response to the crisis. “In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DSWD extended psychosocial first aid, financial assistance, livelihood assistance, and medical aid to help returning OFWs,” she said.
Of the 3,260 OFWs served in total, 2,851 underwent psychosocial first aid as they sought government assistance ahead of or upon returning to the Philippines. Another 409 OFWs stuck at airports due to travel restrictions from the ongoing conflict also received the same psychological support from DSWD social workers.
Livelihood grants under the Sustainable Livelihood Program have reached a small number of returnees so far — one OFW from Ilocos Region and four from Central Luzon each received PHP20,000. The DSWD Central Office separately extended PHP300,000 in medical assistance to one OFW in crisis.
Colico said the department is maintaining active coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers as repatriation flights continue. “We remain in close coordination with the DMW to ensure a smooth, safe, and dignified reintegration process for all our OFW kababayans returning from the Middle East,” she said.
