OWWA targets P12 billion in extra funds to repatriate, assist OFWs

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The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration says it is preparing for the 'worst-case scenario,' as tens of thousands more Filipinos could seek repatriation from the Middle East

MANILA, Philippines – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is seeking a P12-billion supplemental budget for the emergency repatriation and reintegration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as the Middle East crisis continues.

From the P12 billion, OWWA plans to allocate P9 billion for its Emergency Repatriation Fund (ERF) — which covers each OFW’s repatriation costs, post-repatriation assistance, and immediate special financial assistance — and P3 billion for its reintegration program.

According to OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, the agency has already spent around 55% of the P1.2-billion ERF that it received for 2026.

“Gumagawa tayo ng forecasting (We do forecasting). We want to prepare for the worst-case scenario,” Caunan said in a press briefing on Monday, April 20.

She explained that they expect about 2.5% of the 2.4 million OFWs in the Middle East, or around 60,000 people, to be repatriated as the war rages on.

OWWA estimates that pre-repatriation, repatriation, and post-repatriation processes cost around P150,000 per OFW.

“Ang misyon dito ay dalhin sila hanggang sa sala ng bahay nila. So, lahat ng gastos, from [the] worksite up to that point, is covered by the Emergency Repatriation Fund,” Caunan added.

(Our mission is to bring them straight to their own homes. So, all expenses, from the worksite up to that point, are covered by the Emergency Repatriation Fund.)

Latest numbers from OWWA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) show that around 6,500 OFWs and their dependents have arrived in the Philippines through government-funded repatriation, with 900 more returning before the week ends.

Reintegration program

OWWA is also set to launch the Alagang OWWA Gabay NTPK Program during its founding anniversary on May 1.

The program will offer services anchored on four pathways or the NTPK — Negosyo (Entrepreneurship), Trabaho (Employment), Pagkatuto (Skills Training), and Kalusugan (Health).

Services include livelihood starter kits, business education, career counseling, job fairs, skills training, scholarship opportunities, and psychosocial counseling and support, in partnership with other government agencies and private organizations.

Caunan said the program supports the reintegration requests of around 4,000 profiled OFWs, of whom 30% are considering livelihood assistance, 20% are seeking local employment, and another 20% would like to try working abroad again.

Aid for ‘economically distressed’ OFWs

The DMW also announced in a statement on Monday that it is giving financial assistance of $200, or around P12,000, to “economically distressed” OFWs in the Middle East.

The department identifies these OFWs as those who have lost their jobs or are receiving lower income due to reduced workdays or unpaid forced leave amid the conflict.

The full guidelines, approved by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, have yet to be released. Rappler has requested a copy and we will update this story once the guidelines are out. – Rappler.com

$1 = P59.97