DSWD ready to assist Filipinos returning from Israel, Palestine
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday, Oct. 13 said it is prepared to assist Filipino migrant workers who will be repatriated from Israel and Palestine due to the escalating conflict between the Israeli government and Hamas militants.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed Undersecretary for Operations Pinky Romualdez to coordinate with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on the details of the Filipino workers who wanted to be repatriated from the conflict-torn countries.
Romualdez, who spoke with DMW Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Hans Cacdac, said eight Filipino migrant workers have voluntarily repatriated and are expected to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport next week.
The DSWD's Operations Group is currently preparing interventions for returning Filipino migrant workers under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
DSWD offers social welfare services such as AICS, which provide medical, burial, transportation, education, food, and financial support to individuals or families.
Meanwhile, the SLP program focuses on capability-building, providing opportunities to increase the productivity of livelihood assets in poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities, thereby improving their socioeconomic well-being.
DSWD's Memorandum Circular No. 16, Series of 2022 outlines the maximum cash assistance under AICS at P10,000, with three students per household eligible for educational assistance.
The maximum educational assistance is P5,000 for elementary and high school students and P10,000 for senior high school, college, and vocational courses.
Meanwhile, the maximum cash assistance is P15,000 under SLP.