Migrant Workers’ Secretary Susan Ople stressed the need for humanitarian corridors and safe zones for affected Filipinos in Sudan.
Ople said that the government was able to repatriate and evacuate half of the Filipinos in Sudan. Some Filipinos decided to stay in Sudan hoping that the conflict will soon be over.
“Of course, hindi naman natin mapilit sila if that is their decision. But if they would ask our advice, the best time for them to leave is now,” Ople said in a press briefing.
“There really needs to be humanitarian corridors and safe zones para ‘yung mga gustong makasali, puwedeng umalis they can do so, and then ‘yung mga gusto naman maiwan those who want to stay may access pa rin sa pagkain, sa gamot, sa tubig , and other basic essentials,” she said.
Ople added that some United States companies are willing to hire overseas Filipino workers who were evacuated from Sudan.
In an interview with reporters in the US, Ople said that Princess Cruises, Holland Americana Line/Seaborne all under Carnival Corporation; MedPro International; and the Magsaysay People Resources/Magsaysay Maritime Corporation are interested in hiring the evacuated OFWs.
“They’re willing na tingnan ‘yung profiles nung mga galing Sudan kasi sabi ko these are skilled workers. Sabi ko, may international school na teachers may mga nurses, mayroon ding construction workers tsaka mga engineers,” Ople said.
“So sabi naman nila, they’re willing to look at the profiles. So hinahanda na ng DMW sa Manila,” the DMW chief added.
Ople added that President Bongbong Marcos is closely monitoring the situation of affected OFWs.
“The President was in touch with us, with the DMW and also with DFA asking for updates and yesterday before the meet and greet with the US-based employers, he once again asked about our workers coming home from Sudan,” she said.
Ople also revealed that apart from the US, they are also exploring job opportunities for OFWs to work in Saudi Arabia.
“There are employers in the US and also in the cruise ship industry and in Saudi Arabia that are very much interested and would like to see the profiles of our workers from Sudan,” she said.
Ople assured that repatriated OFWs will be given livelihood assistance so that they can start anew.
