DFA launches Facebook page to help distressed OFWs

The “OFW Help” Facebook page, managed by the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA), seeks to assist undocumented or irregular workers who are not members of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and who are in need of emergency response. (File Photo Screengrabbed from OFW Help/Facebook)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday launched the official “OFW Help” page on Facebook to provide distressed overseas Filipino workers a new system to reach the government and request for emergency assistance.

The “OFW Help” Facebook page, managed by the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA), seeks to assist undocumented or irregular workers who are not members of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and who are in need of emergency response.

“It aims to provide a more preferable system in receiving request for assistance from the next-of-kin of OFWs and OUMWA case officers.

Especially if the client is unable to contact the OUMWA hotline or travel to the nearest Post,” its profile reads.

OUMWA is the primary office tasked to handle requests for assistance from the next-of-kin of OFWs in distress or the OFWs themselves.

The said request is then referred to the concerned Foreign Service Post, either a Philippine embassy or consulate, which will conduct the groundwork in making representations with the employer and concerned authorities of the host government to assist the said OFW in distress.