DMW Launches Full-Scale Financial Aid Distribution for OFWs Impacted by Middle East Unrest
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced that the distribution of financial assistance for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East is now in full swing. During a media briefing on Friday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac detailed the agency's comprehensive response to the crisis.
Substantial Funding and Broad Eligibility
Secretary Cacdac revealed that the DMW will provide USD 200, equivalent to approximately PHP 12,000, in cash assistance to workers who have experienced sudden changes in their employment due to the regional tensions. This includes those facing job loss, reduced working hours, or salary cuts. The funding, totaling PHP 800 million, has been secured from the Department of Budget and Management with approval from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
"Of this amount of PHP 800 million, there will be allocations for financial assistance on-site, financial assistance here in our country for those who have returned, and there will be allocation also for transport, for airfare, air transport," Cacdac explained. "In a nutshell, our financial assistance guidelines will pertain to those whose work has been affected by the crisis."
Streamlined Application Process Across Ten Nations
DMW Assistant Secretary Jun Rasul specified that the program covers OFWs in ten countries: Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. A key feature of the initiative is a simplified application process designed to expedite aid delivery to eligible workers.
Applicants are required to submit:
- A request for assistance form
- Copy of passport, contract, visa, or labor card
- Certification from the employer
- Payslip showing deductions, termination notice, or visa cancellation
To further facilitate access, the agency will accept self-declaration statements where OFWs attest to job loss or salary reduction due to the crisis. Certifications from Filipino community organizations in the affected regions will also be recognized.
Real-World Impact and Broader Support Package
Rasul highlighted specific cases, such as sales personnel in Dubai duty-free shops who now report only twice a week due to a decline in tourists, resulting in reduced wages. These individuals are among those eligible for the USD 200 aid from the action fund. Beyond the cash assistance, this amount is part of a larger crisis response package that includes on-site aid, repatriation to the Philippines, and reintegration programs.
As of Friday's data, the DMW reported that 6,605 Filipinos have been repatriated from the Middle East, comprising 5,023 OFWs and 1,343 dependents. This underscores the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for sustained support mechanisms.
