DMW: 'Aksyon Fund' for OFWs in full swing under Marcos admin

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) assured that the implementation of its "Aksyon Fund" to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is in full swing under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

During the pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) Special "Resibo ng Serbisyo ng Pangulo" aired over state-run PTV on Monday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the DMW has disbursed nearly P1 billion from the Aksyon (action) Fund.

"The disbursement ng (of) Aksyon Fund had aided at least 52,000 workers in terms of legal and labor assistance and around 10,000 others provided with financial assistance," Cacdac said.

The Aksyon (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan) Fund is used for 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.

In his second SONA last year, Marcos said the government is engaging with partners in the international community to ensure a safe working environment for OFWs.

"Our priority is to ensure that the principles of ethical recruitment, fair employment, and the safe and orderly migration of our people, are embodied in our agreements with other countries," he said then.

During the Labor Day commemoration on May 1, Marcos reiterated his order to the DMW to strengthen protection for OFWs and ensure government help during their times of need.

Cacdac said the DMW and its attached agency, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), have been responding to distress calls of OFWs, especially during the two major international conflicts – the Sudan humanitarian crisis that erupted in April 2023 and the conflict between Israel and militant group Hamas that started on Oct. 7, 2023.

"Unprecedented ang financial package, iyong mga nanumbalik from Israel and Sudan, P50,000 ang binigay (The financial package is unprecedented. Those who returned from Israel and Sudan, they got P50,000). In the past, the POEA and the OWWA gave only P10,000 to P20,000," Cacdac said.

The whole-of-government aid, as ordered by the President, includes the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The DMW's Aksyon Fund has a P2.8 billion budget allocation for 2024.

Cacdac said also taken from the Aksyon Fund are the legal expenses.

He said the DMW has taken up about 54,000 cases, including claims and legal battles, aside from 9,400 cases being handled by international posts.

Cacdac said cases include complaints against employers, interrupted employment, improper salary, abuse at work, countering cases filed by employers like theft and immigration-related case.

The DMW also spends for criminal cases for OFWs who are victims of rape and physical injuries.

The fund system is continually being improved to make more accessible and the distribution more efficient, Cacdac assured. (PNA)