The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the public that it is ready to provide assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in the Middle East region, amid the rising tension brought by the recent airstrikes.
In a text message, Secretary Rex Gatchalian confirmed that he reached out to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and assured him of the DSWD’s readiness to help in the possible repatriation of OFWs affected by the ongoing crisis in the Gulf region.
“I told Sec. Hans that the DSWD is ready to back DMW up in assisting OFWs affected by this turmoil,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his text message on Sunday (March 1)
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who serves as the DSWD spokesperson, said on Monday (March 2) that the Department is
coordinating closely with the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for updates on the details of the Filipino workers affected by the tension in the Middle East.
“Sa utos na rin ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., mahigpit po ang koordinasyon na ginagawa ng DSWD sa DMW at DFA kung sakaling magkaroon ng repatriation sa mga lugar na apektado ng airstrikes sa Gulf region,” the DSWD spokesperson stressed.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao also emphasized that the DSWD has available resources to assist the OFWs, especially if repatriation will be an option due to the on-going conflict in the Middle East.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao underscored that the DSWD has various programs and services which can be availed by the OFW and their families should they return home.
“Mayroon po tayong iba’t ibang mga interventions na maaaring maibigay sa kanila pagdating nila rito sa bansa. Nandyan ang ating Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) na isang social safety net program para sa mga distressed and in crisis nating mga kababayan. Handa rin ang aming mga social workers na magbigay ng psychosocial interventions para kahit papaano ay mabawasan ang stress o trauma mula sa pangyayari,” the DSWD spokesperson explained.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the DSWD will continue reaching out to the DMW and other agencies to ensure a whole-of-nation approach assistance to the OFWs.
“Aside from AICS, maaari rin na magbigay ng livelihood assistance sakaling mag-avail ng repatriation ang mga OFWs na apektado ng tensyon sa Middle East. Patuloy din ang ating koordinasyon at partnership sa DMW, at iba’t iang ahensiya ng gobyerno para masiguro na komprehensibo ang tulong natin para sa mga OFWs,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
The DSWD, alongside other government agencies, will ensure a holistic approach to address the needs and concerns of distressed OFWs affected by the conflict. (AKDL)
