Reelectionist Senator Risa Hontiveros called on the government to provide necessary livelihood assistance to overseas Filipino workers who will be coming back from Ukraine amid the rising tensions in the foreign country.
Hontiveros directed her call on Thursday, Feb. 17, to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as hundreds of Filipinos are expected to exit Ukraine in the coming days.
The Senator, who is seeking another seat in the Senate under Vice President Leni Robredo's ticket, told the two agencies to coordinate with concerned local government units (LGUs) in order to prepare appropriate support for the returning OFWs.
"Bukod sa kaligtasan nila mula sa panganib, tiyak na pangunahing pangamba rin nila ang kanilang hanapbuhay (Aside from their safety from danger, for sure their main worry is their livelihood)," Hontiveros said.
"Malaki ang maitutulong ng welfare fund upang magsisilbing pantawid-kita habang naghahanap ng trabaho at dagdag pagkakakitaan (The welfare fund will be of huge help for them to get by while looking for a new job)," Hontiveros added.
The opposition Senator also said she is relieved to know that all concerned government agencies are working together to carry out a safe exit for the overseas Filipinos.
"Tiwala ako sa kakayahan ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na masiguradong may tulong na maaasahan ang ating mga kababayan (I am confident with the DFA's ability to ensure that our fellow nationals will get help)," she said.
She hopes that an integration program or the Balikbayani program for returning OFWs will be implemented.
Hontiveros is pushing for a "Healthy Buhay at Hanapbuhay" as her main agenda for her senatorial bid.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. assured that Filipinos in Ukraine will not be harmed and will have a safe exit to the closest border.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 17, Locsin was already in talks with countries near Ukraine for the prompt evacuation of Filipinos in Kyiv.
READ MORE: Filipinos in Ukraine will not be harmed and will have a safe exit to the closest border