PHILIPPINES: The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it has provided more than P7.766 million in assistance to 4,398 repatriated and stranded overseas Filipino workers affected by the Middle East crisis.
According to the agency, 3,989 of the Filipinos served were OFWs repatriated because of the crisis, while 409 were stranded OFWs.
The support forms part of the government’s response for returning workers who may need food, cash, medical help, mental health support, or livelihood aid after arriving back in the Philippines.
Contents
What Help Did Returning OFWs Receive?
DSWD said all 4,398 OFWs received psychological first aid when they arrived at the airport.
This support is meant to help returning workers process fear, stress, or trauma after leaving conflict-affected areas. For many OFWs, repatriation is not only a travel issue. It can also mean leaving behind jobs, income, homes, and personal plans abroad.
Aside from airport support, 227 individuals also received other forms of psychosocial assistance through DSWD Field Offices.
Who Received Cash and Livelihood Assistance?
The agency said 1,324 repatriated OFWs received financial aid worth P6.906 million. This support is intended to help cover daily needs and urgent expenses after returning home.
DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program also provided P560,000 in livelihood aid to 28 beneficiaries. This aims to help returning OFWs find other income sources while they recover and rebuild.
One repatriated Filipino who needed urgent health intervention also received P300,000 in medical assistance.
Why This Support Matters After Repatriation
Returning home during a crisis does not always mean the problem is over. Some OFWs may come home without savings, with unpaid expenses, or without a clear plan for work.
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the government is equipped to assist returning Filipinos in their reintegration. She said the continued aid follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instruction to ensure OFWs are safe.
Agencies Working Together for OFWs
DSWD said the assistance is part of the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport, or UPLIFT, framework.
The agency is also coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and other government offices.
Dumlao said DSWD will continue monitoring the situation to make sure no OFW is left behind and that returning Filipinos are given support to recover.
