The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Tuesday (Sept. 29) its help desks stationed at the country’s airports have assisted almost 200,000 returning overseas Filipinos, including 159 children.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said more returning Filipino workers have been assisted by their help desks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
“Ang DSWD help desks na nakatalaga sa NAIA Terminals 1 to 3 ay nakapagbigay ng kaukulang serbisyo sa may halos 200,000 overseas Filipinos,” he said in a virtual press briefing.
(The DSWD Help desks assigned at the NAIA Terminals 1 to 3 have given appropriate services to almost 200,000 overseas Filipinos.)
He said of the number, 86 are unaccompanied minors, 73 are minors are with authorized guardian or parents and the remaining are distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Bautista noted that the DSWD conducted Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) tests among over 10,000 OFWs.
He said based on the DASS, more than 1,000 OFWs have showed "moderate, severe and extreme severe results” and were give online psychosocial and emotional support services.
He said the initiative was conducted in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the United Registered Social Workers.
“Nagpaabot din ng financial assistance ang DSWD Task Group Management of Returning OFWs sa NAIA sa 17 indigent OFWs, at limang kabataan na nagkakahalaga ng higit P130,000 mula sa Hunyo hanggang September 2020,” the DSWD Chief added.
(The DSWD Task Group Management of Returning OFWs in NAIA also extended financial assistance to 17 indigent OFWs and five youth amounting to more than P130,000 from June to September 2020.)