The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has pledged to provide psychosocial interventions and other forms of assistance to Filipinos repatriated from Myanmar, where they were allegedly victims of trafficking.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday, March 26 assured that the agency would focus on the rehabilitation and reintegration of the returnees, working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) and other relevant agencies.

“Ang role ng DSWD ay rehabilitation and reintegration. May package of services naman (from different agencies), pero whole-of-government approach. The DSWD will step in, kasama namin ang Department of Health (DOH) in making sure na nade-debrief nang maayos—‘yung psychosocial interventions. Nandiyan ang social workers namin since yesterday,” Gatchalian said.

(The role of the DSWD is rehabilitation and reintegration. There is a package of services from different agencies, but it is a whole-of-government approach. The DSWD will step in, and we are working with the DOH to ensure that proper debriefing and psychosocial interventions are provided. Our social workers have been present since yesterday).

Gatchalian, alongside officials from other government agencies, welcomed the repatriated Filipinos at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Wednesday morning.

The DSWD chief explained that the department’s primary goal is to help the returnees reintegrate smoothly into their families and communities, while addressing any emotional and mental distress they may have experienced.

“We will make sure na maunawaan namin ‘yung indibidwal na mga kaso para maibalik natin sila nang maayos sa kanilang mga pamilya. Seamless reintegration sa kanilang komunidad at kanilang pamilya—‘yan ‘yung ultimate goal natin. Importante ‘yung psychosocial interventions to make sure na ‘yung pinagdaanan nila na-a-address—‘yung emotional scarring, mental issues—para pagbalik nila sa komunidad nila ay handa sila to be reintegrated to their families,” Gatchalian said.

(We will make sure that we understand each individual case so we can reintegrate them properly into their families. Seamless reintegration into their communities and families is our ultimate goal. Psychosocial interventions are important to ensure that what they went through is addressed—emotional scarring, mental issues—so that when they return to their communities, they are ready to be reintegrated into their families).

In addition to psychosocial services, the DSWD will also offer financial assistance to help the repatriates rebuild their lives.

Gatchalian clarified that while the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is currently providing initial accommodations, the DSWD is ready to offer temporary shelter for those who are not yet ready to return to their communities.

“May additional din kaming hinanda na financial assistance. At the same time, bagamat pino-provide ng DMW ‘yung initial na stay nila sa hotel, in the event na hindi pa sila ready na umuwi sa kanilang communities, we can also provide temporary housing for them in one of our shelters,” he said.

(We have also prepared additional financial assistance. At the same time, although the DMW is providing their initial stay in a hotel, in the event that they are not yet ready to return to their communities, we can also provide temporary housing for them in one of our shelters).

A total of 176 individuals were repatriated from Myanmar to the Philippines on Wednesday. The first batch, consisting of 30 repatriates, arrived in the country on March 25.