DOLE seeks add’l budget for possible repatriation of OFWs in MidEast



By ERWIN COLCOL, GMA News

The Department of Labor and Employment is asking Congress for an additional budget of about P1.1 billion for 2018 to fund the expenses in bringing home OFWs that may be affected by tensions in Qatar, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III attended the bicameral conference committee meeting at the House of Representatives on Thursday for the proposed 2018 General Appropriations Act, representing the agency as it requests for additional budgetary allocation.
"You are aware of the situation in Qatar in relation with their diplomatic relations with the Middle East countries and also in the case of Lebanon and in Saudi [Arabia]. Our labor attache there  needs some contingency plans which may have to be implemented in case the situation worsens," Bello told reporters.
"Pero right now, hindi pa naman critical kundi meron lang cause to prepare for this plan," he added.
According to Bello, no less than 240,000 documented OFWs are currently in Qatar.
He said they are asking Congress to give them P850 million for possible repatriation expenses and another P200 to P300 million for reintegration.
"If you bring them back, we cannot afford to leave them unassisted. So we will have to provide them with initial financial assistance and then also livelihood," he said.
If the situation worsens, Bello said they may have to repatriate all OFWs.
"Kung hindi naman, kagaya ng our experience sa Saudi, marami sa kanila opted to stay notwithstanding the situation. Pero we have to prepare for that eventuality," Bello said.
Bello said Senate and House leaders seem to be open to the idea. "Hindi sila umo-oo, pero hindi rin naman sila himi-hindi. So may pag-asa," he said.
If their request is not granted, Bello said they will have to rely on their own resources or seek assistance from the Office of the President. —KBK, GMA News

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