MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to come to the assistance of Filipinos who will be forced to return home once Malaysia starts its crackdown on undocumented foreigners on Jan. 21.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said the department has a social welfare attaché in Malaysia with whom they are coordinating for the expected influx of returning Filipinos.
“We will be working with them to support the people who will be displaced,†she told The STAR.
Soliman said the DSWD has long provided assistance to Filipinos in Malaysia whenever there is a crackdown on undocumented nationals, the latest of which was in February last year when a crisis erupted when armed followers of the Sultanate of Sulu landed in Sabah.
“We actually assisted Filipinos who went home from Sabah because of the Sabah crisis,†she said.
“We also have a social welfare attaché who works in the embassy in Malaysia with a team,†she added.