The House of Representatives suggested the utilization of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's (OWWA) emergency repatriation fund to build temporary shelters and halfway houses for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are trapped amid the rising tension in Israel.
According to OFW Partylist Representative Marissa Magsino, the use of OWWA’s balance aims to reduce the government’s cost of commercial accommodations and ensure their security and proper accommodation.
He said that the temporary shelters and halfway houses where the OFWs will stay while waiting for their opportunity to return to the Philippines is needed.
Based on the data from the Department of Migrant Workers, there are only 24 temporary shelters for Filipino migrant workers, and 14 of which are in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Audit (COA) showed that the balance of the Emergency Repatriation Fund reaches P9.7 billion, but cannot be used by OWWA because it is restricted by law.
In her appeal, Magsino said that the Congress needs to allocate the funds to be used so they can help the OFWs during the time when they need to be repatriated.
