MANILA – The Philippine government has so far repatriated a total of 636 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and 32 dependents from Lebanon amid continued intense air and ground attacks by Israel against Hezbollah.
In a Facebook post on Monday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the latest arrival of 76 OFWs safely landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City via Emirates EK 332 on Sunday evening.
“Each OFW returnee received immediate financial assistance worth PhP 75, 000 from the DMW AKSYON Fund, PhP 75, 000 from OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), and PhP 20, 000 from the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development),” the DMW said.
Additional financial assistance of PhP 20, 000 each was also given from the Office of Tingog Partylist Representative Jun Acidre.
The Department of Health (DOH), on the other hand, provided free medical consultations and psychological first aid to the repatriates upon their arrival at the airport.
They were also assured of available training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to help them start anew, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also assisted them in finding alternative employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, OWWA, through its welfare officers deployed in Lebanon, assures continuous assistance to OFWs who decided to remain despite the intensified fighting and to those waiting for their exit clearance from the immigration authority.
“Sa darating na mga araw, inaasahan pa ang karagdagang bilang ng mga OFWs at dependents na makakauwi, at tuloy-tuloy ang pagtutok ng OWWA sa kanilang kalagayan, mula sa Lebanon hanggang sa kanilang pagbabalik sa Pilipinas (In the coming days, an additional number of OFWs and dependents are expected to return home, and OWWA will continue to focus on their situation, from Lebanon until their return to the Philippines),” OWWA said.
Renew OWWA membership
OWWA reminded all OFWs around the globe to renew their OWWA membership to be assured of continuous assistance and protection.
Since OWWA is a membership institution, there is a membership contribution worth USD25 or about PhP 1, 400 depending on the exchange rate.
The validity for each contribution is two years, regardless of contract duration, change of employer, job site or recruitment agency.
After that, OWWA membership shall be renewed, provided there is proof of active employment.
OWWA members are entitled to various benefits, including welfare assistance, calamity assistance for active members and their families affected by natural disasters, repatriation assistance including airport assistance, temporary shelter, psycho-social counseling, and transport services, and education and training assistance for OFWs and dependents, among others.
OWWA membership may be renewed through the OWWA Mobile App, the OWWA regional or overseas office, or at the OWWA booth located inside the NAIA airport departure area. (PNA)