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Revilla commends OFW repatriation in Sudan

By Wilnard Bacelonia

April 27, 2023, 8:29 pm

<p>Filipinos being evacuated from war-torn Sudan <em>(Photo courtesy of DFA)</em></p>

Filipinos being evacuated from war-torn Sudan (Photo courtesy of DFA)

MANILA – Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. on Thursday commended government measures in taking advantage of the 72-hour ceasefire to immediately repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in strife-torn Sudan.

In a statement on Thursday, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said the Philippines cannot afford to waste this window of opportunity to secure more Filipinos.

"At every point during this struggle, every minute is crucial in saving the lives of Filipinos. Kaya dapat siguruhin talaga natin na bago matapos ang pagkakataong ito, nailabas na natin sa Sudan ang bawat Pilipino (That's why we should really ensure that before this chance ends, we are able to repatriate Filipinos from Sudan)," Revilla said.

The lawmaker commended Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Philippine Ambassador to Egypt Ezzedin Tago for ensuring the safety of every Filipino in Sudan.

"My spirit is high that you (Secretary Manalo) will ensure that all our kababayans (compatriots) in Sudan are accounted for," he said.

He also called Tago a hero for ensuring that all Filipinos in Sudan are safe, taken-cared of, and will be able to go home safely.

In a separate statement, Senator Francis Tolentino suggested that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hire buses for the quick repatriation of Filipinos from Sudan to Egypt.

"We need to move fast. The 400-plus OFWs should be evacuated to Egypt where we have an active diplomatic mission and where their safety can be assured,” he said.

He also suggested that the government “seek the assistance of Egypt” to be able to fly the OFWs from Cairo to Manila.

Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who chairs the Committee on Labor and Employment, called on the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to ensure the provision of livelihood assistance to OFWs who are expected to come home from Sudan.

He also urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other concerned agencies to prepare alternative sources of livelihood for the OFWs.

"May nakalaan tayong pondo para sa mga katulad nilang distressed or displaced OFWs (We have funds available them, who are distressed or displaced OFWs),” Estrada said, noting OWWA’s Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program (BPBH), which was given a total of PHP431 million funding for this year.

Under the BPBH, a package of livelihood support and assistance with a maximum worth of PHP20,000 is given to returning OWWA members who were displaced or distressed from their jobs abroad.

As of April 26, the Philippine government evacuated some 409 Filipinos from Sudan, while 335 more are still traveling from Khartoum to Cairo.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople and DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac are currently in Cairo to assist in the government’s evacuation efforts and lead the distribution of welfare assistance to evacuated OFWs. (PNA)

 

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