DSWD assures aid for repatriated OFWs with children from Kuwait

Perlita Panganiban, DSWD OIC Social Welfare Attache Officer, said repatriated mothers/fathers with children from Kuwait are given PHP5,000 immediate financial assistance upon their return to the country. (PNA photo by Leilani S. Junio)

MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured that repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait, especially parents with their children, would be given aid under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Perlita Panganiban, DSWD OIC Social Welfare Attache Officer said upon their return, repatriated mothers with children would be given PHP5,000 financial assistance handed at the airport upon their arrival.

She added that they had also made coordination with their field offices to extend assistance to identified recipients for other concerns, which can be sought under the AICS program, such as educational assistance so long as supported with pertinent documents proving that their children are enrolled.

“Our services go beyond providing financial assistance because they will be referred to our regional offices. They will be assessed by social workers and therefore, they would know what needs would be provided when they are in their hometowns,” Panganiban said.

Through initial assessments, Panganiban said a total of 36 mothers with children had been identified as recipients for the assistance.

To date, there are a total of seven mothers and fathers with 12 children that were provided financial assistance that totalled to PHP35,000. More are expected to arrive until Feb. 22.

Panganiban said they would also link repatriated OFWs to employment facilitation and livelihood assistance through community projects either through cash-for-work or food-for-work schemes.

Meanwhile, those OFWs who were not classified as mother/father with children were also assisted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which had separate programs for them. More than 300 distressed OFWs from Kuwait arrived in Manila on Monday (Feb. 12).

President Rodrigo R. Duterte had instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs and DOLE, along with other government agencies such as DSWD, to help the repatriated OFWs who were mostly abused abroad.