The government should exhaust all means to help the detained Filipinos who have been pardoned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government reintegrate back to the community, Senator Loren Legarda said on Wednesday, January 8.
Legarda made the call following reports that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan pardoned 220 Filipinos detained in the UAE last December.
While the pardon is a significant step forward, it must be accompanied by comprehensive measures to help the repatriated individuals reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives, the senator said.
“While we wholeheartedly welcome the release and impending repatriation of these 220 Filipinos, we must also focus on ensuring that they are provided with the necessary support to help them recover and reintegrate into society,” said Legarda.
She said the government should consider enrolling them in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) livelihood programs and at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Legarda said it is imperative to provide livelihood and skills training programs to empower former persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and let them contribute meaningfully to their communities.
“Programs such as the DOLE Kabuhayan and skill improvement programs from the TESDA are available for those who want to tread a new path in work,” she said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) acknowledged that the recent pardon reflects the “distinguished friendship” between the Philippines and the UAE. This follows the pardoning of 143 Filipinos last June in celebration of Eid’l Adha.
The DFA and the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi are currently expediting the processing of documents to facilitate the immediate return of the pardoned Filipinos.
Likewise, Legarda stressed the importance of extending support to the families of pardoned Filipinos, particularly in addressing the educational needs of their children.
“Setting up scholarship programs for children of unemployed pardoned Filipinos is one concrete step in the road to reformation, helping them ease their financial burden,” Legarda said.