ILOILO – Fifteen repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) received P10,000 each in financial assistance from the provincial government.
They returned home this January due to maltreatment by employers, illness, accidents, or political unrest in their host countries.
On January 30, the beneficiaries, hailing from the municipalities of Guimbal, Oton, Tigbauan, Miag-ao, Igbaras, Maasin, Janiuay, Lambunao, San Rafael, Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, and Sara, personally visited the office of Provincial Administrator Raul Banias to express their gratitude to the provincial government, led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., for the assistance.
Beyond financial aid, the repatriated OFWs are also eligible to access the provincial government’s livelihood programs and business loans to help them start small enterprises.
Public Employment Service Office (PESO) head Cynthia Dario said PESO assisted the OFWs in their repatriation after they sought help from concerned agencies, including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Most of the repatriated workers were employed in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, among other countries.
The financial assistance is granted under Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-245, which provides P10,000 to repatriated OFWs from Iloilo who lost their jobs due to political instability, civil unrest, natural disasters, employer maltreatment, illness, or work-related accidents.
To qualify, beneficiaries must be active OFWs, bona fide residents of Iloilo province, and have not received financial or credit assistance from their host countries.
The initiative underscores the provincial government’s commitment to supporting repatriated Ilonggo workers as they reintegrate into their communities./PN
