Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is set to travel to Kuwait next week for a firsthand assessment of conditions facing overseas Filipino workers there, as the number of those seeking to return home continues to climb amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Cacdac made the announcement Thursday during a press briefing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, where he also provided an update on repatriation figures and the government’s assistance programs.
“So we have 9,038 already repatriated as of today. And then the repatriation flights will continue. Among others, yung sa Kuwait. Kasi di ba napapabalita na meron pa rin kumbaga dumadami ‘yung mga nagnanais na umuwi sa state of Kuwait,” Cacdac said.
Of the 17,517 OFWs who have received financial assistance from the DMW, 9,822 have returned to the Philippines while 7,695 chose to stay in their host countries despite disruptions to their employment, working hours, or wages.
Workers who remained abroad received USD200 in on-site financial assistance, while those who were repatriated received P10,000 each from the DMW’s Aksyon Fund. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration added a separate P10,000 cash grant on top of that.
Other agencies have also been mobilized. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is providing supplemental aid, the Department of Health is offering free medical check-ups, and TESDA has made training vouchers available to returning workers seeking to upskill. The Department of Labor and Employment is assisting with job placement for those who have come home.
Cacdac noted that some OFWs who paid for their own airfare but were caught by flight cancellations have also been extended financial support by the government.
The DMW said it is continuing to strengthen reintegration pathways through the National Reintegration Network, with the agency working alongside OWWA and other government bodies in coordinating both repatriation logistics and post-arrival support.
“Magpapatuloy ang repatriation efforts at pagbibigay ng kinakailangang suporta upang matiyak ang ligtas at maayos na pag-uwi ng mga apektadong OFWs, alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Cacdac said.
