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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Over 7,000 OFWs now safely back home to their provinces, says OWWA

Over 7,000 OFWs now safely back home to their provinces, says OWWA

Published May 27, 2020 12:00 am
By Leslie Aquino More than 7,000 overseas Filipino workers are now back in their respective home provinces and regions. FILE—A man walks past the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) building along F.B. Harrison St. in Pasay City. (Federico Cruz) | mb.com.ph A man walks past the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) building along F.B. Harrison St. in Pasay City.
(Federico Cruz / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the government was able to bring home 7,500 OFWs since May 25. “So far, we were able to bring home 7,500 OFWs in the first two days. We expect this number to still increase,” he said during the Laging Handa press briefing on May 27, Wednesday. “We are now in day three of the seven-day period given to us by the President,” Cacdac added. On Monday, President Duterte ordered the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA to send home to their families the estimated 24,000 repatriated OFWs staying in quarantine facilities—a task he gave the agencies one week to accomplish. All returning OFWs are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a government-designated facility and get tested for COVID-19 before being allowed to return home. Some OFWs, however, complained of the slow release of their results and clearances after weeks and months in quarantine. Meanwhile, Cacdac said OWWA will start receiving applications for their “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” reintegration program by next week. “ Secretary Bello already ordered the use of the reintegration livelihood fund,” he said. “By next week, we will start receiving applications our reintegration livelihood program for our OFWs that have returned to their home local government units,” added Cacdac. He said around P700 million is allocated for the “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” program. “Approximately 50,000 will initially benefit from it. We just have to be mindful of the number of applicant beneficiaries,” Cacdac said. The “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” re-integration program is a package of livelihood support/assistance intended to provide immediate relief to returning member-OFWs amounting to a maximum of P20,000 as start-up or additional capital for their livelihood projects.
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