Social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) interview returning overseas Filipinos (OFs) from Malaysia for provision of services and other means of government assistance and interventions.
Social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) interview returning overseas Filipinos (OFs) from Malaysia for provision of services and other means of government assistance and interventions.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Health (DOH), provided assistance to 52 returning overseas Filipinos (OFs) from Malaysia during their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 over the weekend.

The returning OFs were given interventions by the DSWD such as counseling, airport assistance, food assistance, and transportation assistance to their respective residences.

A team of social workers from the DSWD also interviewed the returning OFs for needs assessment and referral to their respective local social welfare and development offices (LSWDOs) to determine appropriate interventions.

Likewise, the DOH offered free medical assistance and possible hospitalization assistance, especially for returning families with children.

Based on the report from the OWWA, 14 OFs will be taken for temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home since most of them cannot return immediately to their respective provinces.

Meanwhile, the DSWD through its Social Welfare Attache Office (SWATO) pledges to continue to coordinate with concerned national government agencies for assistance to distressed Pinoy repatriates in need of appropriate services and interventions. ###