FAST FACTS: Gov’t aid for overseas Filipinos affected by Middle East war

MANILA, Philippines – As tensions escalate in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, more and more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are seeking assistance, including repatriation.

Under the Philippine government’s crisis alert system, emergency repatriation becomes effective at alert levels 3 (voluntary repatriation) and 4 (mandatory repatriation).

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), along with its parent agency, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), are involved in handling repatriation requests from OFWs.

Contingency protocols are also in place to help OFWs who were supposed to depart for the Middle East and those who have just been repatriated, ensuring various forms of aid are available to them.

Here’s a guide on how to request repatriation and the other types of assistance that OFWs should expect.

Repatriation assistance process

For repatriation, the first step is to contact official government platforms, such as the following:

• Walk-in at offices or embassies
• OWWA’s primary hotline: 1348
• DMW and OWWA hotlines overseas (click here for the full list)
• Viber: 09150795005, 09691697068, 09664739543
• WhatsApp: 09563197589, 09686940706, 09563197586
• eReport via the eGovPH app
• Email: [email protected]

OWWA is encouraging Filipinos to send in their repatriation requests through the agency’s primary hotline and the eGovPH app.

After submitting a request, wait for a response from OWWA. Welfare officers will assess the safety of the OFW and what kind of primary assistance is needed before confirming the request.

The welfare officers will then call back to provide instructions regarding travel documents, including a transit visa if necessary, or an exit visa if the country requires it. Afterwards, OFWs will be transported to the nearest and safest border for repatriation, either through commercial flights or chartered flights.

The DMW gave assurances that the Philippine government would pay all immigration fines and penalties, if any, as well as provide basic necessities, temporary accommodations, and other relevant documents.

Post-repatriation and reintegration aid

Upon repatriation, OFWs can receive the following types of assistance:

• Psychosocial and medical interventions, coordinated with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Social security benefits, coordinated with the Pag-IBIG Fund and the Social Security System
• Housing, coordinated with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
• Employment assistance through special job fairs, coordinated with the Department of Labor and Employment
• Upskilling, with free vouchers given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
• Livelihood grants, coordinated with the Department of Trade and Industry, among others

This initiative follows the government’s One-Country Team Approach, which involves close coordination among all government agencies responsible for the welfare of OFWs.

On-site assistance

Host countries have designated shelters which OFWs can go to, and they assist Philippine authorities with identification and travel documents, if needed. There are also facilities identified by migrant workers offices that are available to accommodate Filipinos.

While still staying in the host country or awaiting repatriation, OFWs can also secure these forms of aid:

• Food, water, and basic necessities
• Financial assistance for OFWs whose jobs were halted, paused, or binded by the no-work-no-pay system
• Transportation
• Medical and psychosocial assistance

Pre-departure and in-transit assistance

For those stranded in the Philippines, the DMW registers them in a centralized database and provides them with immediate assistance such as food, accommodations, and transportation back to their hometowns. The DMW is also in communication with airlines for rebooking and redeployment, although flight schedules remain highly volatile due to the conflict.

For those stranded in transit hubs in other countries, they receive airport assistance, plane tickets back to the Philippines, and accommodations while coordinating with the DMW and the DFA. – Rappler.com