DAVAO CITY – Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso A. Magno vowed to support the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in reintegrating overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families, particularly in Mindanao.
MAGNO (FB)
Magno, during his meeting with DMW Undersecretary Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones on Thursday, October 5, vowed to promote the reinforced collaboration with the Office of the President through Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr.
The DMW monitors Filipino workers’ overseas employment and reintegration while aligning with the national development initiatives the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) set forth.
Within the DMW, Assistant Secretary for Reintegration Venecio “Vano” Legaspi was appointed to manage the bureau’s diverse reintegration initiatives which include a livelihood program and a housing initiative for OFWs who choose to settle in the Philippines for good.
Magno said he would do his best to help the OFWs have a better life the moment they return home. He added that the country has always protected Filipino workers abroad, regardless of status.
There are more than 820,000 registered OFWs that the DMW aims to help in Eastern Mindanao – 298,225 newly hired, 522,204 rehired, and 385,239 sea-based workers.
The reintegration program aims to help the OFWs be productive and financially capable after returning to the country. Most of the beneficiaries are OFWs who were displaced from their jobs due to hostilities and conflicts in their host country.