The first batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from the UAE who availed of the amnesty program arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on Thursday, August 16.
Onboard Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR 659, more than 100 amnesty grantees arrived in Manila at around 10:40 a.m. (Manila time) after their flight was delayed for undisclosed reasons.
The repatriated OFWs were accompanied by Deputy Consul General Renato Duenas, Jr. during the flight and were welcomed by high-ranking officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Bureau of Immigrations (BI) at the airport.
Following their arrival, they were asked to fill up a form to serve as records for OWWA. They were also asked to submit their travel documents and boarding passes.
One of the OFWs who returned home was Gloria. She told The Filipino Times that she was elated upon hearing about the amnesty program by the UAE and Philippine government.
Gloria, a domestic helper in the UAE, availed of the amnesty program after overstaying in the UAE for 8 months.
The OFW thanked the UAE and Philippine governments for helping OFWs with absconding and overstaying cases in the Gulf state to return home free-of-charge.
“Maganda ‘yung process. Maraming salamat kasi nabigyan kami ng opportunity na makauwi kasi marami talagang Pinoy ang ganyan ang kaso doon,” Gloria said.
Gov’t assistance to repatriated OFWs
Earlier, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary Silvestre Bello III told TFT that among the assistance to be extended to repatriated OFWs from the UAE include cash assistance worth Php20,000 under the livelihood program Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) program.
Repatriated OFWs and returnees, Bello said, will receive the assistance after attending the trainings organized by DOLE to help them manage their money better.
DOLE will also provide transportation allowance to OFWs who live in far areas and provinces. Once they arrive in the country, DOLE will give them the choice to return to their respective provinces or temporarily stay in a housing facility organized by the Philippine government, free-of-charge.
Aside from financial assistance, skills trainings and seminars will be provided to OFWs. Their children will also be eligible and will be prioritized when applying for scholarships offered by the government.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), meanwhile, has opened the OFW-Enterprise Development and Loan Program where OFWs can loan from Php100,000 to Php2-million payable in seven (7) years, with a grace period of 2 years.
Job opportunities will also be available for those who will be repatriated to the Philippines.
Photos: Dianne Kathryn Datu
