P15.3-B budget set to Filipino migrant workers
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman
announced the government’s allocation of P15.3 billion in the FY 2024 proposed
national budget for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to deliver
more substantial assistance and projects for Filipino migrant workers.
“Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., hinding-hindi po
pababayaan ng ating pamahalaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga migrant workers. They
are our heroes. Dapat lang na sila po ay matulungan at maalalayan, lalo na sa
panahon ng krisis. Katuwang po nila kami sa DBM. Katuwang po nila ang
pamahalaan,” Secretary Pangandaman emphasized.
Pangandaman said that included in the budget proposal for next year is the
funding for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Emergency
Repatriation Program (ERP) with an allocation of P9.7 billion to assist OFWs who
are forcibly repatriated.
Another P1.2 billion was allocated for the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa
mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund which provides legal, medical,
financial and other forms of assistance to OFWs, including repatriation, shipment
of remains, evacuation, rescue, and any other analogous help or intervention to
protect the rights of Filipino nationals.
To cater primarily to the healthcare needs of OFWs and their qualified
dependents, P13 million was dedicated for the OFW hospital and diagnostic
center.
These projects are aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment
to promote the interests of Filipino migrant workers and protect them in crisis
situations.
More assistance for migrant workers chargeable against OWWA Fund
The Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program (BPBH) was given a P9 million
increase, receiving P440.115 million. The BPBH is a package of livelihood
support intended to provide immediate relief to returning Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs). The program provides entrepreneurship development training and
cash assistance amounting to P20,000 as start-up or additional capital.
An additional P227.995 million was allocated for the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa
Pag-Unlad ng Samahang-OFWs (TULONG PUSO) which grants assistance to support the
formation, enhancement, or restoration of livelihood projects of OFW
organizations.
Families of OFWs will also be empowered with viable business enterprises that
will provide them with a steady income stream, as P18 million was dedicated to
the OFW Enterprise Development and Loan Program (EDLP). Mandated by Republic
Act No. 10801, the EDLP is an enterprise development intervention of OWWA in
partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development
Bank of the Philippines (DBP), which also allows the families of OFWs to create
employment opportunities in their community. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)
