Former Vice President and senatorial aspriant Jejomar Binay called on the national government to immediately help Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their host countries.

Binay aired the appeal on Sunday, Feb. 20, following media reports of Filipino domestic workers being abandoned or neglected by their employers in Hong Kong.

According to the reports, the domestic workers are not being allowed by their employers to leave their homes, and those who tested positive for the coronavirus are being denied treatment.

“This is a disturbing development that needs to be addressed immediately. Aside from Hong Kong, there are also surges in other countries in Europe. Dapat alamin ng mga awtoridad ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan doon at bigyan sila ng agad na tulong (Our authorities must be aware of our countrymen's situation and immediately give them help)," Binay said.

He also cited a statement from a recruiters group that around 4,000 OFWs bound for Hong Kong are stranded as a result of travel restrictions brought about by the pandemic.

“Para naman sa mga hindi makabalik sa Hong Kong, kailangang bigyan sila ng cash and food aid, prayoridad sa rebooking ng kanilang mga ticket, at tulong sa pag-renew ng kanilang mga work visa (For those who are not able to return to Hong Kong, they must be provided with cash and food aid, priority in rebooking their tickets, and assistance in renewing their work visas)," he added.

The former vice president suggested that if needed, the funds of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) should be replenished so it can further extend help to its OFW members.

“The OWWA Fund is a trust fund. It is funded by the OFWs through their contributions, similar to the SSS (Social Security System) and GSIS (Government Service Insurance System). But last year, OWWA officials have raised concerns that the fund could be depleted,” Binay said.

“Kailangang maibalik and nagastos na pondo dahil pera ito ng OFWs (The spent funds must be replenished because it is the money of OFWs),” he added.

Binay stressed that OWWA's fund would be needed to help OFWs who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic through livelihood assistance and other services covered by the agency’s reintegration program.

Last year, labor officials had asked the national government to replenish the OWWA funds after the agency repatriated OFWs from countries hit by the pandemic.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P3.3 billion in July to cover the agency’s repatriation efforts. The agency had earlier asked for an additional P7 billion to help cover the cost of food, accommodations, and other needs of returning OFWs.