OWWA to Fetch more than 800 OFWs from Malta

The 65 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) repatriated from Libya thru the effort of the Philippine government arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday (June 23, 2014) in Pasay City. (PNA photos by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — The government’s ASSIST WELL TEAM spearheaded by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, along with OWWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado, will extend assistance to more than 800 OFW returnees from troubled-country Libya.

“We will be at the airport literally for two consecutive days, Saturday night, and Sunday at dawn. This is because the intervals of the arrival of OFWs from the war-torn Libya is just within hours or so, and we would not want any returnee to be left unattended.

The OFWs availed of the government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program as a result of the intense situation in the said country,” the OWWA Chief explained.

The first batch of bulk of 419 returnees, Calzado said, will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at 8:00P.M. Saturday, 16 August 2014.

The 2nd group of 369 passengers will disembark at the Naia Terminal 2 on Sunday, 17 August at 3:30 AM.

Since Friday, we dispatched a two-man OWWA Team to Malta in order to facilitate documentations of our ‘kababayans’ for their exit from Malta back to Manila. We see to it that their needs are in order before their return to the country,” the OWWA head added.

Upon arrival at the airport, the displaced workers will be briefed on the government’s Assist WELL Program.

As of August 14, 2014, the OWWA recorded a total of 1,960 repatriates from Libya.

In the meantime, availees of the one-time cash Financial Relief Assistance Program (FRAP) totaled to 954 or an exposure of P9,540,000.00. Other services rendered to the OFWs are as follows: 242 availed of temporary shelter/accommodation at the OWWA Halfway Home; 769 were provided with transportation expenses.

In the meantime, OWWA Welfare Regional Offices extended other services to Libya returnees that include “Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay” Program; 2B Reintegration Program; NRCO Livelihood Assistance; OWWA Scholarships/Training and Assistance (SESP); job referrals as well as TESDA referrals.

FRAP availees are those who returned to the country when the Mandatory Repatriation Program was declared by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on 20 July 2014. They can get the said benefit at the OWWA Regional Offices where they reside.