President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has greenlit an additional ₱3 billion to boost the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) repatriation and reintegration initiatives for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto announced on Sunday that the newly approved funding will fund the comprehensive repatriation lifecycle. This encompasses post-departure care, transit expenses, and long-term reintegration support for displaced workers.
“War or not, there are Filipinos in extreme distress that we should bring home,” Recto said in a statement.
Government data reveals that as of June 17, a total of 10,446 Filipinos have been safely evacuated from the Middle East. This demographic includes 8,281 documented OFWs, 1,803 dependents, and 362 stranded nationals.
Recto emphasized that President Marcos Jr. envisions the assistance package to extend far beyond the immediate evacuation phase.
“Ang utos nya ay hindi pwedeng paglapag dito, bahala na kayo. Ang gusto ng Pangulo, may hatid sa probinsya sa lubhang nangangailangan, at higit sa lahat mga economic opportunities,” Recto said.
According to DMW briefings, returning citizens are entitled to a holistic care system. This framework offers financial aid, psychosocial support, medical screening, career counseling, and livelihood resources.
To accelerate local workforce re-entry, the DMW has rolled out 15 “Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa: National Reintegration Network and Job Fairs” nationwide. The job fairs link returning migrants to domestic and foreign employers, livelihood programs, and financial literacy workshops.
Simultaneously, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has already channeled micro-business grants to 664 newly repatriated individuals through its Balik-Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay! initiative. The program grants up to ₱20,000 in seed capital for entrepreneurial setups.
Furthermore, the Department of Education has unlocked a direct hiring process tailored for returning educators, providing them with immediate employment tracks within the public school system.