MalacaƱang Speaks on Pres. Bongbong Marcos amid PH Gov’t Arranging Flights for OFWs’ Return from Middle East
BONGBONG MARCOS – MalacaƱang clarified the absence of the President at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to personally welcome the returning Filipinos from the Middle East amid the tension.
The Marcos Jr. administration was previously criticized by Vice Pres. Sara Duterte for allegedly not acting with urgency on bringing home the Filipinos affected by the Middle East conflict. The Vice President claimed that it is allegedly very easy to arrange flights that could bring the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) home.
For his part, the MalacaƱang Palace defended Pres. Bongbong Marcos from Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s criticisms over the return of OFWs from Middle East. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, Marcos Jr. is after the safety of the Filipinos and it is impossible as the airspace was close.
A few days after the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes against Iran, flights arranged by the Philippine government has started bringing the Filipinos home. However, there were questions why the President was not around to welcome the returning Pinoys from Middle East.
Based on a report on GMA News, Palace Press Officer Undesecretary Claire Castro explained that the President instructed the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to take charge of assisting the arriving OFWs.
āNandyan po ang DMW at OWWA na siyang inutusan ng Pangulo na mag-asikaso at tumulong sa ating mga kababayan,ā the MalacaƱang official said.
Atty. Claire Castro added that Pres. Bongbong Marcos is currently focusing on other responsibilities including the preparation of additional programs that could help the OFWs affected by the Middle East tension. The Chief Executive is also focusing on programs that could assist the PH economy amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Ā āAyusin ang mga karagdagang programa at tulong sa ating mga kababayan para maibsan ang impact sa ating bansa ng mga nangyayari sa Middle East,ā Castro expressed.
Based on the report, the DMW reported on Saturday that 1,315 OFWs and their dependents affected by the Middle East conflict had been assisted by the Philippine government between March 5 and March 14 under the Bagong Pilipinas Repatriation Program. According to DMW Sec. Hans Leo J. Cacdac, the figure includes 1,022 OFWs and 293 dependents who were either stranded or repatriated from affected areas.
Furthermore, the DMW Secretary also noted that priority is being given to OFWs in high-risk locations, those who are ill, as well as those with humanitarian concerns while arrangements are made for their safe return. The most recent group of Filipino returnees from the Middle East arrived on a government-chartered flight from Riyadh.
Amid the escalating tension in the Middle East which resulted to rising fuel costs in the Philippines, the Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD is set to roll out a P5,000 cash assistance for PUV drivers, to start with the tricycle drivers in the NCR (National Capital Region).