President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, announced the launching of a hotline dedicated to providing legal assistance, rescue operations, and counseling to distressed overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Speaking to the OFWs during their Family Day 2023 in Pasay City, Marcos said the 1348 hotline, called One Repatriation Command Center, would be available 24 hours daily.
"Nagtatag tayo ng One Repatriation Command Center na may nakalaang hotline para sa mga OFW, maghihingi kung kinakailangan ng tulong. Ang hotline 1348 ay laging bukas at hindi nagsasara, kahit gabi, 24/hours a day, pitong araw sa isang linggo. 24/7 ito ay nandiyan para sa inyo upang makapagbigay ng rescue repatriation, counseling, legal assistance sa sino mang OFW na nangangailangan nito," he said.
In addition to this, the President announced that his government is providing "services and programs for the reintegration of OFWs who chose to stay in the Philippines for good."
He said the programs include Livelihood Development Assistance Program, the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanap-buhay, the Financial Awareness Seminar-Small Business Management Training, the Enterprise Development Loan Program, and the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs.
"Ito ay ginagawa natin dahil nagbabago na ang mundo. Kung kayo ay maiiwan dito sa Pilipinas o nais niyo na bumalik pa sa trabaho, kailangan niyo ng training para tayo ay handa makipagsapalaran. Kaya natin ang bagong teknolohiya at pamamaraan," Marcos remarked.
"Kaya't nandyan lahat ang assistance para mabigyan naman natin ang ating mga OFW na isang magandang pagkakataon na makapagsimula mulit pagkatapos ng pandemya," the President added.
Also part of the government's program were OFW Children Circle the OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration] Education and Training Program and Educational Assistance, and the construction of the OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Marcos said domestic workers can look forward to more projects and programs from his administration, and said he hoped that these would greatly benefit them.
"Kasabay ng pagkayod ninyo sa ibayong dagat para sa mas magandang buhay ng inyong pamilya, ay ang aming pagsisikap na magpaunlad pa lalo sa ating bansa upang sa inyong pagbabalik ay makita ninyo ang malaking pagbabago," the President furthered.
