CLARK FREEPORT -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to provide augmentation support services to thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families who will be repatriated from the Middle East amid the crisis in the region.
Through its International Social Services Office (ISSO), the DSWD will set up repatriation desks in international airports around the country, together with concerned agencies, where the OFWs and their families will be served upon their arrival.
While at the airport, the OFWs will be assessed by a DSWD composite team of social workers, who will render a seven-days-a-week duty. They will also be provided with financial assistance.
The OFWs will also be referred to the Department’s Field Offices (FOs) in the regions where they would be provided with additional interventions based on the assessment of social workers.
Among the additional services that may be provided by DSWD FOs to the repatriates include livelihood assistance through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department.
Apart from the preparations being made by DSWD, the Department’s Social Welfare Attachés (SWAtts) deployed in Middle Eastern countries are also working with their respective Philippine Embassy country team in the preparation and provision of needed social welfare services to the affected OFWs.
ISSO acts as the central authority of the agency on matters related to social services to distressed OFWs in their respective posts.
DSWD reiterated the efforts to assist the OFWs are in accordance with its mandate of providing prompt and compassionate service to the marginalized and vulnerable sectors.