DOLE: OFWs repatriated from Sabah to benefit from aid program

Filipinos who have been repatriated from Sabah were assured of livelihood assistance programs from the Department of Labor and Employment.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the OFWs can avail of reintegration programs if they want to stay in the Philippines for good, or return to Sabah once conditions there improve.

“The DOLE helped facilitate their smooth arrival, and we are ready with our reintegration programs and other services for other Filipinos who may decide to return to the country either for good or to wait for the situation to stabilize before returning to Sabah,” said Baldoz.

Last Sunday, some 289 OFWs from Sabah returned to the country Sunday after being deported by Malaysian authorities.

But a report on dzBB radio quoted social welfare officers as saying the deportation is not related to the deadly clashes last March 1 and 2 in Sabah between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian security forces.

On the other hand, many Filipinos are fleeing from Sabah as Malaysian forces continued to hunt down Kiram's followers in Lahad Datu town.

Instructions for returning OFWs from Sabah

Baldoz issued instructions to her officials on what to do in case returning Filipinos arrive from Sabah.

She ordered the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) regional office in Zamboanga to coordinate with the DOLE Regional Office No. 9, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and local authorities to establish a profile and documentation of the returnees.

“The documents of those who wish to return to their employers after the situation has returned to normal, such as their overseas employment certificates, must be ready for processing. On the other hand, returnees who plan to stay in the country for good should be provided reintegration assistance through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs [NRCO],” she said.

She added that since some of them may look for jobs, the DOLE is ready to provide them with job matching and job referral assistance.

"I have instructed the DOLE regional office, the OWWA, and the NRCO to prepare our livelihood business starter kits for those who wish to engage in business. The TESDA is also prepared to provide training to those who wish to pick up employable or business skills,” she added. — LBG, GMA News

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