Senator Koko Pimentel III lauded the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for its successful efforts and continued assistance to Filipinos abroad amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Pimentel, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, noted that the repatriation program for displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and the daily tracking of coronavirus infected Filipinos abroad are the most significant actions of the DFA during the crisis.
“Our OFWs are among the sectors hardest hit by the crisis.”
“I wish that the DFA continues its efforts in extending assistance to OFWs in countries affected by the pandemic. Our OFWs are among the sectors hardest hit by the crisis. Napakahirap nang malayo sa pamilya at sa sariling bansa sa panahong ito,” said the veteran legislator.
“The DFA can help augment the budget of DOLE’s cash aid program by utilizing its own available funds.”
“Sa ngayon ay may binibigay na P10,000 one-time cash assistance ang DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) sa ating displaced OFWs. The DFA can help augment the budget of DOLE’s cash aid program by utilizing its own available funds. Kung p’wede lang naman po, ‘yung Legal Assistance Fund and other funds meant for overseas Filipinos ay magamit sana pang dagdag sa Assistance to Nationals Fund,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
The senator will be writing DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. to request that public advisories showing the number of COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad likewise show a separate data on the number of OFWs infected with COVID-19, including the number of deaths and recoveries in different countries, as well as how they are being treated for COVID-19.
According to Pimentel, this tracking system will make the public adequately informed on the COVID-19 situation of OFWs abroad.