Billions of pesos in additional funding are being funneled into the government’s overseas worker assistance programs, the Palace confirmed, addressing concerns over the amount originally set aside for emergency repatriation in the proposed 2027 budget.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, who also serves as Undersecretary at the Presidential Communications Office, explained that the figure initially reflected for the Emergency Repatriation Fund (ERF) traced back to when the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration filed its spending plan.
“Ayon din naman kay OWWA Chief PY Caunan, na-submit kasi nila ang kanilang budget bago nagkaroon ng krisis sa Middle East, kaya ‘yan lang ang kanilang nailagay na proposed budget,” she told reporters at a Palace briefing.
According to Castro, the timing left the original allocation unable to account for the more recent turmoil in the region. To close that gap, she laid out fresh money heading toward two key agencies.
“Pero magkakaroon at daragdagan pa ng PhP3 billion pa sa action fund ng DMW at PhP1 billion para sa OWWA, kabilang ang PhP700 million para sa emergency repatriation,” Castro said, referring to the Department of Migrant Workers and OWWA.
She framed the added resources as an extension of a standing priority for the administration. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., she said, has kept the concerns of overseas Filipinos among his focus areas, including making sure money is on hand to bring workers home when emergencies strike.
“Alam naman natin na isa sa mga tinututukan ng Pangulo ay ang kapakanan ng ating mga OFW,” Castro said.
Both OWWA and the DMW, she noted, are aware of that continued attention from the President, aimed at widening the reach of government assistance during crises similar to what unfolded in the Middle East.
“Alam nila ng OWWA at DMW ang patuloy na pagtutok ng Pangulo para mas maraming matulungan sa mga sitwasyong naranasan tulad nung nangyari na krisis sa Middle East,” she said.
