Duterte cites sacrifices of distressed OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte yesterday paid tribute to the sacrifices of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who returned from the Middle East after the Saudi government granted them amnesty.

The 151 distressed OFWs were repatriated after they availed themselves of the Saudi government’s 90-day amnesty program that started last March. They were granted exit visas.

Speaking before the repatriated OFWs upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City before dawn yesterday, Duterte said he wanted to “kneel down” before them to show how the government appreciates their sacrifices.

He cited the OFWs’ contribution to the Philippine economy – the billions of pesos in remittances for their families.

“Thank you for helping the country… You just don’t know how big your help has been to the country. Your remittances kept us afloat during the years of crisis. Your remittances buoyed the economy,” he added.

Duterte also said he felt the support of the OFWs who showed up at his meetings with the Filipino communities in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar during his six-day visit to the Middle East last Holy Week.

The President vowed to pursue programs that will promote the welfare of OFWs.

During his visit to the Middle East, Duterte mentioned the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers that is expected to speed up efforts to help OFWs, a move that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People supports.

He is also mulling the building of a hospital for OFWs, especially those who became sick and old while working abroad who should be prioritized in the repatriation efforts of the government.

“They should be attended to immediately. At one time or another during the productive years in their life, they helped us very much,” he said, referring to the sick and aged OFWs in shelters in the Middle East.

“We have to repay those who gave us steady income through their remittances. And the OFWs gave a lot. I will give you primary importance. I will look for money.

“Pag hindi, hoholdapin ko ‘yung Central Bank, tulungan lang ninyo ako. Kailangan natin ng armas diyan (If I fail, I will rob the Central Bank, help me. We need arms for it). I will look for the money… Unahin natin ito (this is our first target),” the President added in jest.

The President directed Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to take note of the OFWs who want to avail themselves of the government’s entrepreneurship program. He even joked that he was ready to give P50 million as startup capital.

Duterte also took time to personally hand over P10,000 to each of the distressed OFWs. The money came from the Office of the President and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Distressed OFWs from Saudi Arabia can also avail themselves of a P10,000 non-cash livelihood package of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

OWWA said the livelihood package for its members consists of a starter kit and techno-skills training.

Non-OWWA members shall be referred to the National Reintegration Center for OFWs for availment of their non-cash training and livelihood program.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said the DSWD and other government agencies would have a meeting on the post-repatriation services for distressed OFWs.

“We want to emphasize that no single agency can address the problems of our OFWs. There has to be a convergence of efforts from all the national government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Health and the DSWD. We must all work together to give what assistance we can to help the repatriated OFWs return to their feet,” she said.

“We (DSWD) have already done the profiling of the OFWs who arrived with the President. We’re now in the process of referring them to concerned DSWD Field Offices in the different regions, so they can be provided with the appropriate services and interventions,” she added.

4 OFWs killed in UAE road mishap

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Abu Dhabi is working with concerned agencies for the immediate repatriation of the remains of the four OFWs killed in a road accident in United Arab Emirates.

Authorities identified the fatalities as Veronica Dulay, Ian Elli, Daniel Paulo Paraiso and Marvin Mendoza. They were traveling to observe Visita Iglesia, a Holy Week tradition, when their vehicle was rammed by a speeding SUV.

The four OFWs died on the spot while two others were seriously injured.  – With Christina Mendez, Edith Regalado, Mayen Jaymalin, Rainier Allan Ronda, Evelyn Macairan