The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continued its global outreach to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through the ‘Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan’ at the Sofitel Hotel in Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on August 15 and 16.
“Bilang pangunahing ahensya na nagbabahagi ng mga social welfare and development programs and services, ang DSWD po ay mayroong mga programang from “womb to tomb.” Ibig sabihin po nito, sa kabuuang buhay ng isang tao, ay tiyak na mayroong programa ang DSWD para sa inyo,” Asst. Secretary Ada Colico of the DSWD’s Protective Services said in her message to the OFWs in Al Khobar.
The activity drew strong participation from the Filipino community, with 170 OFWs inquiring on various programs while a total of 271 service-related inquiries were recorded during the event.
According to Asst. Secretary Colico, the caravan aims to ensure that overseas Filipinos remain informed about the Marcos administration’s welfare and protection programs that also extend to their families in the Philippines.
“Huwag po kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa amin kung may nais po kayong malaman tungkol sa mga serbisyo at programa ng DSWD,” Asst. Secretary Colico said.
Among the services presented by DSWD personnel were the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), solo parent benefits, Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) clearance, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and psychosocial support services.
The OFWs who inquired at the DSWD booth were also oriented on how their families in the Philippines can access the agency’s interventions through its Regional Field Offices.
Many participants expressed interest in livelihood assistance and solo parent benefits, highlighting the need for continued support systems for OFWs and their dependents.
“Hindi po lingid sa aming kaalaman ang sakripisyo at pagmamahal na inyong inilalaan para sa inyong mga pamilya. Upang suklian po ang inyong malasakit, hayaan nyo po na iparamdam din namin sa inyo ang mapagkalingang pagmamahal ng gobyerno sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas,” Asst. Secretary Colico pointed out.
The initiative is part of a whole-of-government approach under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in collaboration with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other partner agencies.
The ‘Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan’ has so far reached Filipino communities in Hong Kong, Riyadh, Osaka, Doha, Dubai, and Jeddah with Al Khobar as the latest stop in its continuing effort to bring government services closer to Filipinos abroad. (YADP)
