Senators Erwin, Raffy Tulfo push for measures on reintegration of displaced OFWs

Senator Erwin Tulfo urged the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure that their hotlines are always staffed, especially during emergencies and crises.

“Please DMW, OWWA, DFA, check the hotlines that you posted and make sure that there are people available to answer calls. Our kababayans need us now. We have to show them that their government is not neglecting them,” he said.

Senator Erwin Tulfo emphasized the importance of a comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable reintegration program to guarantee that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) return to the country with dignity, opportunities, and concrete government support.

“Our country's major industry is sending out human capital. That's what we export, so it's only right that we ensure that our OFWs are protected and that when they need to go home, they can be brought home immediately, and if they don't want to go back to another country, there is a job waiting for them,” he said.

Tulfo also called for an increase in the budgets of DMW and OWWA to help the agencies better respond to crises, such as the recent air strikes in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo pushed for contingency measures for the estimated 2.44 million OFWs in the Middle East who may face displacement and possible repatriation due to air strikes and bombings in the region.

“We cannot ignore the situation of our OFWs in the Middle East because millions of them are now fearing displacement, job loss, and the possibility of being forced to return home due to the escalating conflict,” he said.

Following calls from Senator Raffy Tulfo, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, reported that the agency’s contingency protocols have helped over 2,000 OFWs.

“We provide pre-departure and transit assistance, including registration, accommodation, food, water, basic necessities, medical, psychosocial, and financial assistance,” he said.

Senator Raffy Tulfo also underscored the urgency of passing the proposed National Reintegration Bill or the “Bagong Balikbayan Act,” a priority measure under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

The measure aims to strengthen reintegration programs and establish a comprehensive support system anchored on “Kaalaman, Kabuhayan at Kalinga” to help returning OFWs rebuild their lives and achieve long-term economic stability with their families.

“We must ensure the smooth, sustainable, and productive transition of our OFWs back to their homeland because working overseas should only be a temporary state,” Tulfo said.

The committee also discussed the proposed creation of a Migrant Workers Relations Commission (MWRC), which Tulfo filed after encountering OFW nurses who sought his help due to the prolonged resolution of their labor claims after returning to the Philippines.