By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said emergency funds are sufficient until the end of the year for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will be affected by Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and protests in France and Italy.
In a media forum, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the PHP3-billion supplemental budget announced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in July is being used to support Filipinos affected by travel disruptions in Saudi Arabia, including airfare, accommodation and financial assistance.
“Meron pong sapat na pondo (There are sufficient funds) to carry us over until the end of the year,” he said.
The DMW, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), has been providing plane tickets for OFWs whose Riyadh-Manila trips were disrupted, as well as providing accommodation for passengers whose flights were diverted to Jeddah.
He said the agency has also assisted Filipinos who traveled from the provinces to Manila but whose scheduled flights to Riyadh were canceled due to recent Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport.
Cacdac said OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan had arranged accommodation for stranded travelers in Manila.
*No OFW hurt in Italy, France*
Meanwhile, the DMW is closely monitoring developments in France and Italy after high costs of living, low wages and rising fuel prices triggered protests and clashes last weekend in both countries.
Cacdac said Philippine diplomatic posts maintain contact with Filipino communities, give warnings and provide assistance through their hotlines.
He said the DMW is closely monitoring the situation in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Paris and in Rome, and the Consulate General in Milan.
“We are engaging the Filipino community in discussions, and we’ve opened the line of communication and helplines sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong (for those who need help),” Cacdac said.
“Thus far, no Filipinos have been adversely affected by the incidents nitong huling araw. Humupa na rin as far as we know, kontrolado na ng law enforcement sa mga lugar na yun ang sitwasyon (in the past few days. As far as we know, it has calmed down, and the law enforcement has controlled the situation in those areas). However, we stand ready and prepared,” he added.
Cacdac said President Marcos had ordered the monitoring of the situation and preparations for possible evacuation or repatriation should the need arise. (PNA)
