Senator Loren Legarda has called for comprehensive support and reintegration programs for the 220 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were recently pardoned in the United Arab Emirates. Speaking on January 8, 2024, Legarda emphasized the importance of equipping these workers with the necessary skills and livelihood opportunities to help them reintegrate into society effectively upon their return to the Philippines.
Legarda highlighted the role of government agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in providing essential training. She mentioned specific programs such as DOLE’s Kabuhayan and TESDA’s skill enhancement courses as vital resources for these OFWs looking to start anew.
In addition to supporting the workers themselves, Legarda stressed the need to assist their families, particularly in meeting the educational needs of their children. She proposed the establishment of scholarship programs for the children of these pardoned OFWs as a significant step towards easing their financial burdens and aiding their overall reintegration.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has committed to facilitating the return of these 220 OFWs and ensuring their smooth reintegration into Philippine society through a coordinated government effort under the Bagong Pilipinas initiative. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi are working diligently to expedite the necessary documentation to ensure a swift repatriation process.