Bigger budget for distressed OFWs sought

MANILA, Philippines — A group of overseas Filipino workers yesterday called on the government to increase funds for programs that provide assistance to OFWs and their families in the 2021 national budget.

Migrante International said that under the proposed budget, only P8.6 billion from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was allotted for programs meant to assist distressed OFWs.

“The 2021 budget for the DFA’s Assistance to Nationals Program and Legal Assistance Fund did not see any increase at all, amounting to P1.2 billion,” Migrante said in a statement.

Although the proposed budget for OWWA significantly increased to P7.4 billion, Migrante said the amount is still not adequate to serve the thousands of OFWs who remain stranded and have yet to receive any financial assistance from the government.

Migrante said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) was only able to provide financial aid to 280,000 OFWs displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional funds can be directed toward increased personnel, legal advocates, interpreters and other critical resources to effectively improve the government’s provision of services, social welfare and protection for vulnerable migrants, according to the group.