House to probe repatriation of OFWs

THE House of Representatives will launch an inquiry on Friday on the repatriation of thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded overseas and in the country.

“Consistent with the directive of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano in the case of the Social Amelioration Program, we want to look into the problems plaguing the repatriation of our workers overseas, who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and find solutions,” said Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Michael Defensor, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee that will lead the investigation.

Defensor said lawmakers wanted to know the problems encountered by concerned agencies in bringing home OFWs, including hundreds who have died in their host countries such as in Saudi Arabia.

Among those invited to the hearing were officials of the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the inter-agency task force against Covid-19, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Transportation, some ambassadors assigned to the Middle East, and OFW representatives.

Meanwhile, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go expressed support for several legislative measures that seek to help OFWs in their hour of need.

The Senate conducted a hearing on Wednesday on OFW-related measures.

“Our overseas Filipino workers have been among the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. I express my support for the many bills to be taken up today. Malaki talagaangmagagawaparasamga OFWs ng credit assistance program at iba’t ibang incentives parasa mgamagtatayongnegosyo (The credit assistance program and other incentives are needed by the OFWs who want to set up a business),” Go said in his manifestation during the public hearing of the Senate labor committee.

The senator bared that a hospital for OFWs would soon rise in San Fernando City, Pampanga. The hospital, a joint project of the provincial government, the Departments of Health and of Labor, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., will be constructed by Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc.

“During the Committee of the Whole hearing last May 20, sinabi konadapattutukannatinang maayosatligtasnapagpapauwing atingmgakababayansakanilang mgapamilyaditosaPilipinas.Sana poay‘wagnatinsilangpabayaan. Hindidagdagnaproblemaatiisipin angdapatibigaysakanila,kundi mabilis,maayos,atmaaasahangserbisyo (I said we should focus on the proper and safe repatriation of our countrymen so they could be together with their families here in the Philippines. I hope they will be helped. We should not add more to their problems and let’s think of what we can offer them as a true concern for their welfare),” the senator said.

Also on Tuesday, Sen. Francis Pangilinan urged the government to allow the repatriation of the remains of over 100 Filipinos who succumbed to Covid-19 in Saudi Arabia.

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto said the remains of at least 353 Filipinos were for disposition, but 107 of them who died of Covid-19 would be buried there.

Pangilinan echoed the appeal of the families of the deceased Filipinos to allow the repatriation of the bodies of their loved ones.

“These fallen heroes have been away from their families for years. They deserve to come home and be with their loved ones for the last time, and be given the proper burial,” he said.