Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo is urging the Marcos administration to assist in the reintegration of 176 Overseas Filipinos (OFs) who were recently flown home from Myanmar.
Salo seeks government's help in reintegration of 176 Pinoys from Myanmar
Mar 27, 2025 08:47 PM
At a glance
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo is urging the Marcos administration to assist in the reintegration of 176 Overseas Filipinos (OFs) who were recently flown home from Myanmar.
Salo said many of those repatriated were victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment. "Their rescue and repatriation is a relief for their families, and a reminder of the threats and vulnerabilities faced by many OFs," he said.
"As these OFs reintegrate, we urge the government to provide immediate support. The Department of Health (DOH) must ensure access to medical and psychological care, while the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) should assist with financial aid, livelihood opportunities, and reintegration services," Salo said.
At any rate, the veteran solon praised the government orchestrating the return of the distressed OFs.
"We commend the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for leading efforts to rescue and repatriate these OFs, alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and all agencies involved," he said.
"This successful operation is a testament to the whole-of-government approach under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., demonstrating the collective commitment in protecting our migrant workers," added Salo, former chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs.
Meanwhile, on the issue of human trafficking and illegal recruitment, Salo says there's a need to empower Filipinos to recognize the warning signs of human trafficking.
"We need to remind them as well to go through established legal processes in seeking employment opportunities abroad as these are designed for their protection," he said.
"It is crucial to empower our people to make informed decisions and be able to always choose safety over any promise of financial gains. And to always bear in mind that 'if the offer is too good to be true, then it is not true,'" Salo further said.