Dole Steps Up Aid For Displaced Ofws

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is ramping up assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the Middle East crisis, rolling out jobs, emergency income and livelihood support.

Repatriated OFWs directly benefited from a multilayered package of assistance during the Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa spearheaded over the weekend by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the DOLE at the Leyte National High School Gymnasium in Eastern Visayas.

The initiative served as a comprehensive reintegration platform, enabling returning OFWs to access job opportunities, livelihood support and social protection services in one venue, easing their transition back to local employment and community life.

The OFWs accessed a one-stop hub for employment, business support and social services — cutting red tape and speeding up their transition back home.

The DOLE Regional Office in Eastern Visayas opened 664 local jobs, while DMW lined up 1,904 overseas job orders, giving workers the options to stay and work locally or redeploy abroad.

A total of 76 applicants registered, with five, including two OFWs, being hired on the spot.

The DOLE ensured that no OFW would be left behind. A total of 54 repatriated OFWs were enrolled under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad) Program, providing short-term emergency employment and income support as they transition to more stable work.

DOLE said 12 others were processed for livelihood grants under the Kabuhayan Program, offering startup capital for small businesses.

In Quezon City, over 500 OFW repatriates benefited from another reintegration fair offering jobs, financial aid, psychosocial support and skills training.

The Quezon City Public Employment Service Office said eight OFWs were hired on the spot, while 39 were considered near hires.

The event provided access to around 8,000 job opportunities, both local and overseas, through the participation of recruitment agencies and local companies expanding employment options for returning workers.

DOLE pointed to PhilJobNet, now integrated into the eGovPH app, as a faster way for returning workers to find jobs anytime, anywhere.

“Bottom line: from emergency aid to long-term opportunities, the response is aggressive, coordinated and focused on one goal — helping OFWs rebuild, earn and stay home with stability and dignity,” DOLE said.