DBM creates social welfare officer positions to help OFWs in distress

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the creation of six Social Welfare Officer IV positions to provide support and assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in need of special protection.

The Budget department also approved the Personnel Services (PS) requirement amounting to almost P4 million to support the creation of these positions.

Under the proposal drafted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the six Social Welfare Attachés will each be stationed in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jeddah, Hong Kong, South Korea and Qatar.

These countries have been identified as having the largest concentration of migrant Filipinos, and were likewise tagged as areas with a high incidence of distressed OFWs, or Filipino migrant workers who are in crisis situations and need urgent assistance.

"The Aquino Administration recognizes the need to provide our OFWs with sufficient social welfare assistance and protection, especially to those who are susceptible to abuse and exploitation. The deployment of social welfare ambassadors will go a long way in safeguarding the well-being of our workers abroad and giving them immediate aid, even if they're thousands of miles away from home," Budget chief Florencio "Butch" Abad said.

Aside from implementing comprehensive and appropriate social welfare services to Filipinos overseas, the Social Welfare Attachés will also be responsible for establishing and strengthening a network among welfare agencies in the identified areas to assist in the faster delivery of services.

"Having a representative situated overseas would also improve the coordination and collaboration among our government agencies, specifically the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in addressing pressing concerns such as human trafficking, among many other forms of abuse," Abad said.
"We shouldn't forget as well the immense contribution that our OFWs make in advancing the growth of our economy. It's only right to guarantee their protection, particularly in high-risk areas," Abad added.

Previously, the Budget Department also approved the creation of two Attaché positions – later reclassified as Social Welfare Officers VI positions – and deployed to Amman, Jordan and Riyadh. (PNA)