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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOLE won't dip into OWWA trust funds to aid displaced, repatriated OFWs --- Bello

DOLE won't dip into OWWA trust funds to aid displaced, repatriated OFWs --- Bello

Published Jun 30, 2020 03:00 pm

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is not in favor of using the trust fund being managed by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide for the emergency needs of displaced and repatriated Filipino migrant workers.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III
(ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

The Labor chief said the government should take extra steps in order to secure additional resources to help overseas Filipino workers.
 
"For the first time, OFWs are asking for our help, and, in response, we will opt to use their funds? Let us not use their funds during this time of need," Bello said in a statement Tuesday.
 
"Government should be the one to give money so that the OFWs can be assured that all of their needs will be addressed," he added.
 
The OWWA earlier asked for a P5 billion supplemental budget from Congress to prolong its fund’s sustainability as it warned of a “largely looming” bankruptcy should it continue to spend for the food, accommodation and transportation of repatriated workers beyond 2021.At a Senate hearing last week, OWWA chief Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency’s P18.79-billion fund is expected to be reduced to P10 billion by the end of this year, and plunge below P1 billion by the end of 2021 should OFWs continue to be displaced and repatriated.According to Cacdac, the OWWA has so far spent more than P800 million for repatriation, accommodation and cash assistance to Covid 19 affected returning OFWs.
 
Bello said OWWA funds should just be spent more for its members’ needs, such as livelihood or if they plan to put up businesses and for their children’s education.
 
"They are sending us more than $30 billion a year. That helps our economy. For once, we should pay them back. Let us not touch their money," he said.
"Let us not allow our OFWs to feel as if we are shortchanging them amid their big contribution to our economy in the good and in the best of times," added Bello.
 
The Department of Labor and Employment said there are about 90,000 OFWs stranded in other countries awaiting repatriation.
 
It added that some 63,000 others have already been brought home.
 
 
 

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