President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday touted the government’s response to the Middle East conflict, saying more than 12,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been safely brought home while over 140,000 others received assistance as the crisis continues.
In his fifth State of the Nation Address, Marcos said the government mobilized the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program to assist Filipinos affected by the conflict.
“Since the war began, more than 12,000 of our countrymen have been safely repatriated. More than 140,000 OFWs have also received various forms of assistance, including food, financial aid, medical services, and temporary shelter,” Marcos said.
The President added that returning OFWs were also provided reintegration support to help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods in the Philippines.
He said the government extended assistance through the AKSYON Fund and the OWWA-Kabuhayan Program, allowing displaced workers to start over after returning from conflict-hit areas.
Marcos said the government remains committed to protecting overseas Filipino workers and ensuring continued support for them and their families, from emergency repatriation and humanitarian assistance to long-term livelihood and reintegration programs.
