MANILA — The Philippine government is ramping up financial aid for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by ongoing instability in the Middle East, with thousands already receiving assistance, officials said Friday.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has begun distributing USD200 (about PHP12,000) in cash assistance to OFWs whose jobs have been disrupted by the conflict, including those facing termination, reduced working hours or pay cuts.
“All systems go in terms of further distribution of our financial assistance of USD200 per worker affected by the crisis,” Cacdac said during a media briefing.
The program is funded through an PHP800 million allocation approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and released by the Department of Budget and Management. The funds will cover assistance for workers both overseas and those who have returned to the Philippines, as well as transportation and repatriation costs.
As of Friday, the DMW has provided financial aid to 4,502 OFWs across the region.
The assistance program covers Filipino workers in 10 Middle Eastern countries: Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Assistant Secretary Jun Rasul said many OFWs in the region have experienced either temporary or permanent job loss, as well as reduced income due to shorter working hours and other disruptions linked to the conflict.
To speed up the release of aid, the DMW has simplified application requirements. Applicants need to submit a request form, a copy of their passport and proof of overseas employment such as a contract, visa or labor card.
Workers must also provide evidence of income disruption, including employer certifications, pay slips showing reduced wages, termination notices or visa cancellations. However, the agency is also allowing self-declaration and certifications from Filipino community organizations to verify claims.
Rasul cited cases in Dubai where retail workers have seen their schedules cut to only a few days a week due to declining tourist arrivals, resulting in lower pay.
The USD200 cash aid is part of a broader government response that includes on-site assistance, repatriation efforts and reintegration support for returning workers, Cacdac said.
As of Friday, 6,605 Filipinos have been repatriated from the Middle East, including 5,023 OFWs and 1,343 dependents, most of them through government-funded operations.
In total, more than 30,000 OFWs in the region have received various forms of government support, including food, transportation, shelter, medical services and financial assistance, the DMW said.
