Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino migrant worker, returned to the Philippines after nearly 15 years of detention in Indonesia for drug trafficking. Her arrival just before Christmas marked a significant moment in the ongoing efforts of the Philippine government to support and protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families. Veloso was arrested in 2010 with 2.6 kilos of heroin and sentenced to death, but received a temporary reprieve in 2015 to assist in a human trafficking investigation. Her return was facilitated by an agreement between Manila and Jakarta, announced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who expressed gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Veloso’s case also led to charges against the human trafficking syndicate that allegedly recruited her. Upon her return, she was placed in the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. Her sister, who had faced sexual abuse in Saudi Arabia, was also repatriated before Veloso’s return. The Veloso family received financial aid, skills training, and healthcare support from various government agencies.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has been actively involved in repatriating distressed OFWs, with 1,986 from Kuwait, 1,203 from Lebanon along with 52 dependents, and 1,046 from Israel with 30 dependents being brought back home due to conflicts in the Middle East. Each repatriated worker received PHP75,000 from the DMW and an additional PHP75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, along with medical care, reintegration programs, and emergency assistance. The DMW’s reintegration programs have provided financial assistance to thousands of beneficiaries through various initiatives aimed at helping OFWs reintegrate into society. Additionally, educational seminars on financial management and psychosocial support have been offered to thousands of OFWs and their families.
To enhance protection for OFWs, new Migrant Workers Offices were established in Budapest, Hungary, and Warsaw, Poland. The government has also cracked down on illegal recruitment, closing 15 establishments, removing 45,801 illegal recruitment posts from social media, and providing legal assistance to 17,044 individuals. President Marcos signed the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law, which aims to protect the rights and welfare of the approximately 400,000 Filipino seafarers worldwide. This legislation, which took over a decade to pass, offers comprehensive protections including education, training, wages, working conditions, and compensation. It also addresses safety in high-risk maritime zones and seeks to improve seafarers’ skills through enhanced education and training programs.
In a move to support the health needs of returning OFWs, President Marcos led the groundbreaking of the OFW Hospital Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga. This initiative, which includes a new cancer facility and an improved outpatient department, is a tribute to the sacrifices of OFWs and their contributions to the economy. The PHP80-million cancer facility is expected to be completed by November 2025 and operational by 2026, fulfilling the vision of the late DMW chief Susan Ople.