The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it is committed to supporting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning home, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind.
“As an agency that looks after the welfare of the poor and vulnerable sectors, including OFWs returning to the Philippines, the DSWD provides various services based on their condition or needs,” DSWD spokesperson, Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao wrote in a statement in Filipino
Upon arrival at the airport, repatriated OFWs are welcomed by DSWD social workers in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and other government agencies.
Each OFW undergoes an initial assessment to determine their immediate needs and the appropriate assistance that may be extended to them.
According to Dumlao, the DSWD may provide financial support, including transportation assistance to help OFWs return to their provinces, and medical aid for those with health conditions.
The DSWD further extends assistance to OFWs and their families who want to start anew, either by setting up a small business or facilitating employment under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.
“We are not only offering financial help. We make sure that every Filipino coming home gets sufficient support to start anew in our country,” Dumlao noted.
To guarantee continuous support, the DSWD refers cases to its regional field offices and the local government units (LGUs) for case management and progress monitoring.
“This coordination allows repatriated OFWs to access not only national programs but also localized support systems for long-term reintegration,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
For OFWs who experienced trauma abroad, the Department also offers psychosocial services through the Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (WiSupport) program.
This initiative is currently accessible in OFW Service Caravans, but is being expanded to ensure overseas Filipinos can readily access mental health support wherever they may be in the world.
“These programs are designed not just to provide emergency relief, but to help our repatriated OFWs rebuild their lives and become productive members of their communities,” Dumlao said.
