The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac assures assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who continue to be adversely affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.

During the virtual Labor Day celebration on May 1, 2021, dubbed “Talakayan para sa Manggagawang Kabayan”, organized by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Berlin, Germany, Administrator Cacdac said, “ang OWWA ay kumikilos upang maghatid ng tulong sa mga pamilya ng mga OFWs (OWWA works to extend assistance to the OFW-families). He added, “ang OWWA ay isa sa mga unang ahensiya ng gobyerno na tumugon sa hamon ng pandemya” (OWWA is one of the government agencies that immediately responded to the challenges of the pandemic).

As of April 30, 2021, more than five hundred thousand OFWs have returned to the Philippines since the pandemic.

In his message, the OWWA Chief cited the free food, transportation, and hotel accommodation provided to returning OFWs by the Philippine government. According to him, “ang OWWA ang naatasang gawing ligtas at komportable ang pag-uwi ng ating mga OFWs sa kanilang mga probinsiya”. (OWWA was mandated to ensure returning OFWs of safe and comfortable travel to their home provinces”).

The event also served as a venue for OFWs based in Germany to learn more about the Philippine government’s programs and services to migrant Filipino workers such as consular services, labor counseling, as well as specific programs and services of OWWA, Social Security System, and Pag-IBIG