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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider OWWA, DOLE urged to provide alternative livelihood programs for displaced Sudan OFWs ​

OWWA, DOLE urged to provide alternative livelihood programs for displaced Sudan OFWs ​

Published Apr 26, 2023 07:10 am
    Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Wednesday, April 26 urged the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to ensure that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Sudan who have been displaced in the armed struggle in Sudan would be given livelihood assistance.    Estrada, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment, likewise called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other concerned agencies to prepare alternative sources of livelihood for the OFWs who will be repatriated, including undocumented workers.   “Asahan na natin na karamihan sa mga OFWs na napilitang umuwi ng wala sa oras dahil sa tumitinding kaguluhan sa Sudan ay walang ipon. Baka matagalan pa bago sila makapag-relocate para makipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa (Let's expect that most OFWs who were forced to return home prematurely due to the escalating conflict in Sudan have no savings. It may take a long time before they can relocate to venture abroad),” Estrada said in a statement.   “For the meantime, makabubuti siguro na mabahagian sila ng tulong ng gobyerno. May nakalaan tayong pondo para sa mga katulad nilang distressed o displaced OFWs (For the meantime, it might be good for them to receive government assistance. We have funds set aside for distressed or displaced OFWs like them),” the senator stressed.    Estrada noted that under the 2023 national budget, P431-million had been allocated specifically under the OWWA’s Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program (BPBH).   BPBH, a package of livelihood support and assistance, covers returning OWWA member-OFWs who were displaced or distressed from their jobs, he pointed out.    A maximum of P20,000 is given to covered active and non-active OWWA members as startups or additional capital for the expansion of their already existing business, the lawmaker said.   At least 325 out of the estimated 700 OFWs in Sudan have requested the government for repatriation from the war-torn country.   “May programa ang gobyerno na makakatulong  sa mga kagaya nila na nawalan ng trabaho sa ibang bansa at mainam na mabigyan sila ng ng ganitong klase ng ayuda ng sa gayon ay patuloy nilang matustusan ang gastusin ng kanilang pamilya (The government has a program that can help people like them who have lost their jobs in other countries and it would be good to give them this kind of aid so that they can continue to support their family's expenses),” he said.   “Sa ganitong paraan, hindi sila daragdag sa bilang ng mga unemployed nating mga kababayan (In this way, they will not add to the number of our unemployed countrymen),” he emphasized.  

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Overseas Fililpino Workers (OFWs) Senator Jinggoy Estrada
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