OWWA: Over 26,000 OFWs repatriated in 2011

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government has repatriated at least 26,273 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), most of them from war-torn Libya, in the first 11 months of this year, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported yesterday.

“With repatriation being one of our flagship programs, OWWA assisted in the repatriation of 9,162 workers from Libya and each one of them received a P10,000 grant to enable them to meet their needs while looking for new employment,” OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon said.

She said they also assisted in the repatriation of 2,003 workers from Jeddah, 599 from Madagascar and 550 from Riyadh.

To help the displaced workers and those OFWs who want to return home for good, Dimzon said OWWA embarked on a strengthened reintegration program, which was allotted a P2-billion budget.

“We do not only provide OFWs and their families with services, we empower them to become responsible individuals who look beyond their stints abroad,” she said.

The OWWA also mounted medical missions in Bulacan and Pampanga and established OFW help desks all over the country.

At this time, Dimzon said, OWWA has a total of 1,217,685 OFWs members and the number is still growing.

OWWA welfare officers and administrative staff overseas have also extended direct assistance to some 78,838 Filipino migrant workers in the workplace, prisons or hospitals. –Mayen Jaymalin The Philippine Star