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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider 200 OFWs from Central Visayas flee conflict, receive aid from OWWA

200 OFWs from Central Visayas flee conflict, receive aid from OWWA

Published Apr 10, 2026 06:42 pm
CEBU CITY – More than 200 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Central Visayas have been repatriated due to the tension in the Middle East.
According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Central Visayas (OWWA-7), 202 OFWs from Region 7 have returned home, 59 from Saudi Arabia, 46 from Qatar, 42 from the United Arab Emirates, 23 from Bahrain, and 18 from Kuwait.
Antonio Ordonia of OWWA-7 said returning OFWs have been provided with airport and transportation assistance, hotel accommodations, and airfare support.
Due to the influx of OFWs coming home, OWWA-7 has augmented its manpower, tapping more repatriation officers to address the increasing needs of distressed workers.
The Department of Migrant Workers-Central Visayas (DMW-7) said 41 repatriated OFWs directly reported to their office and were assisted.
Some of the repatriated OFWs have applied for financial aid under the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund.
OWWA-7, DMW-7, and the Department of Trade and Industry-Central Visayas have rolled out various emergency assistance, reintegration support, and financing programs not just for the repatriated OFWs but also for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the global crisis.
Intervention programs that include immediate aid, livelihood assistance, and access to business financing are also being implemented.
DMW-7 Director Jhoaden Lucero said among the key reintegration initiatives are livelihood grants such as the Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay program, and enhanced livelihood assistance of up to P15,000 per beneficiary.
Lucero said the AKSYON Fund provides up to P50,000 in financial aid, as well as burial assistance of P100,000 for families of deceased OFWs.
For MSMEs affected by the crisis, a P4-billion MSME Business Fund was also introduced, offering affordable financing with interest rates of less than one percent per month.
Lucero outlined a four-pronged crisis response strategy covering assistance to OFWs in transit, assistance to those on-site in conflict areas, repatriation, and reintegration.
“One way of helping them is dili na sila magbalik og istorya sa ilang mga naagian (One way of helping them is so they will no longer have to retell the experiences they went through),” Lucero said during the Kapihan sa PIA forum.

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OWWA Central Visayas Middle East conflict
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