Two Filipino workers in Romania battling cancer have received cash aid through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Welfare Assistance Program-Medical, part of an expanded government push to reach ailing migrant workers in the country.
The two are active OWWA members whose treatment the agency continues to help fund. One will be brought home under an OWWA-led medical repatriation once cleared by the attending physician, with post-arrival assistance arranged for the return to the Philippines. The other has chosen to stay in Romania to continue receiving free treatment there, still backed by OWWA support.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne V. Caunan and Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac visited a Filipina domestic worker undergoing treatment at a Bucharest hospital, checking on her condition and confirming that coordination on her care would continue.
Alongside Philippine Ambassador Noel E. Servigon, the two officials met with leaders of the Filipino community to gather feedback on improving services. Discussions covered OWWA membership for permanent residents, temporary shelter for displaced workers, accountability among recruitment agencies, and a call for a permanent MWO and OWWA presence in Romania.
The visit also saw Manila and Bucharest reaffirm cooperation on protecting Filipino workers through ethical recruitment, safer working conditions, and stronger labor ties. Coordination on the effort involves the DMW, the Philippine Embassy in Bucharest, and partner agencies working to ensure support across each stage of a worker’s time abroad.
