DMW: P3.5B funds in place for affected OFWs in Middle East

A total of P3.5 billion has been allocated to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the tensions in the Middle East, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday.

At Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said this amount includes P2 billion under its Action Fund and P1.5 billion under its Emergency Repatriation Fund (ERF).

“But it's already March. Nagastos na po natin 'yung iba d'yan. And first quarter is done. So we’re looking at the second, third, and fourth quarter at 'yung repatriation nila will mean a lot,” Olalia said.

(But it's already March. We've already spent some portions of the fund. And the first quarter is done. So we're looking at the second, third, and fourth quarter and their repatriation will mean a lot.)

“So 'yun po 'yung ating pinaghahandaan (So that's what we're preparing for),” he added.

Olalia said the DMW has requested additional funds from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in case the Middle East crisis extends or escalates.

“Meron na po kaming letter sa DBM at meron na rin pong mga bills pending ngayon for the immediate assistance doon sa aming action fund,” he said.

(We have a letter to the DBM and there are also bills pending now for the immediate assistance in our action fund.)

“While presently, sufficient pa po 'yung pondo, but we need to anticipate if the crisis extends and escalates, kinakailangan ng additional pondo,” he added.

(While presently, the funds are sufficient, but we need to anticipate if the crisis extends and escalates, additional funds will be needed.)

According to Olalia, there are around 2 million OFWs in the Middle East. Around 1,000 of them have been repatriated back to the Philippines so far. 

One OFW died in Israel and a Filipino seafarer was missing in the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict. —AOL, GMA Integrated News