House panel approves P5B fund for OFWs affected by Covid-19

The House committee on overseas workers affairs approved on Friday a bill seeking to provide P5 billion in assistance for distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The committee chaired by TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza approved the unnumbered substitute bill, which consolidated four House bills.

The assistance programs include repatriation, medical expenses in the form of vouchers for six months from arrival, migration fees for overstaying Filipinos, legal assistance, and basic necessities, among others.

Mendoza assured the public that the committee will hold more hearings to check on the plight of OFWs and come up with appropriate measures to address their problems amid the pandemic.

Officials of government agencies mandated to address the needs of OFWs raised their concern on the lack of funding to cover for all repatriates and their families.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Cacdac requested for additional budget after reporting that the OWWA’s expenses have reached almost P500 million, as of May 16.

Cacdac said OWWA spent for food, accommodation and transportation of repatriates.

Meanwhile, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Bernard Olalia said concerned government officials should also consider the 40,000 seafarers expected to arrive due to crew change and will eventually undergo quarantine.

Mendoza called on OWWA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and other concerned agencies to submit the amount of funding they need so all OFWs, including the 200,000 OFWs expected to come home this year, would be attended to.

He assured them that the House would closely work with the executive branch in finding solutions to the challenges faced by OFWs, such as their displacement and expenses upon repatriation, among others.

“They shouldn’t be spending for all of these because we asked them to be repatriated. We asked them to be quarantined. Ngayon, stranded sila. It is not their fault… We will help you find a solution to this problem,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)