The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) assisted four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from Saudi Arabia and 12 illegal recruitment victims from Davao provinces.
Initially, they were each provided financial assistance worth P2,000 for their food subsidy while they are still in Metro Manila. The amount also covers the transportation expenses of the victims of illegal recruitment as they go about the processing of their papers.
The CIU is ready to provide transportation assistance to the illegal recruitment victims once they decide to go home to their respective provinces.
Likewise, the CIU prepared referral letters for the educational assistance of the nephew and the sister of two repatriated OFWs.
DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera who met with the victims said that the agency will continue to assess their needs.
“This is really a heartbreaking situation for the repatriated OFWs who suddenly lost their jobs, and the victims of illegal recruitment who had to spend so much money for promised jobs in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and Korea which turned out to be non-existent. We are here to assist them especially their families who are depending on them,” Usec. Cabrera said.
Redel Lacaba, one of the victims of illegal recruitment, expressed his appreciation for the fast and efficient response of the DSWD in assisting victims who are in need.
“Kahit mabigat ang kalooban ko dahil niloko ako ng illegal recruiter, nakakagaan sa pakiramdam na mayroon tayong gobyerno na may malasakit sa tao. Ang laki ng pasasalamat ko sa DSWD (Even though I feel bad about being fooled by an illegal recruiter, I am still relieved to know that our government cares for the people. I am really grateful to the DSWD),” Lacaba said.
Action center
From January to July 2016, the CIU, as one of the protective programs of the DSWD, has already provided an estimate of P1.1 billion amount of financial aid to 366,428 individuals who are seeking for educational, medical, transportation, and burial assistance.
The CIU serves as the DSWD’s action center for individuals and families in crisis situations. It operates in the Central Office and in all Regional Field Offices of the DSWD. ###
