Latest news with #HansLeoCacdac
Filipino Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
DMW, Legal Education Board partner to provide legal aid to OFWs
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Legal Education Board (LEB) have partnered to bring accessible legal assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) while training future lawyers in the practice of labor rights and social justice. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and LEB Chairperson Jason Barlis signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Monday at DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong City. Under the agreement, law schools will open their legal aid clinics to distressed OFWs. In return, law students will gain hands-on experience working on actual migrant cases, transforming their legal education into a platform for advocacy. 'The legal worry that we can take away from our OFWs will go a very long way. The law is the best weapon against exploitation, anxiety, and all the things that can make OFWs unproductive and distressed,' Cacdac said. LEB Chairperson Jason Barlis said the partnership not only brings justice closer to OFWs but also reshapes legal education into a purpose-driven experience. 'It's about making sure that the promise of access to justice reaches even those who are miles away from home. On the other hand, it also gives students a hands-on, purpose-driven experience that cannot be taught inside the classroom. It's in these moments that they feel the law come alive because it is applied in real life,' he added.
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
PH gov't to grant P150K financial aid, full support to OFW returnees from Middle East
Overseas Filipino workers returning from countries affected by the Middle East conflict will receive financial assistance amounting to PHP 150,000 under the Philippine government's voluntary repatriation program. The immediate aid includes PHP 75,000 from the DMW AKSYON Fund and another PHP 75,000 from OWWA, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. In an interview on Bagong Pilipina Ngayon, DMW Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay assured the public that the government will provide full assistance to returning OFWs. 'Yung first batch of OFW repatriates from Israel, along with Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac ay sinalubong natin ng June 24 at ng whole-government team. Maliban po sa DMW at OWWA, kasama po natin ang DFA, DWSD, DOH, TESDA, at iba pang ahensya para magbigay ng comprehensive and immediate assistance sa kanila,' she said. Aside from the financial aid, they will also receive free medical check-ups from the Department of Health and counseling and livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The DMW's National Reintegration Center for OFWs will help them set up small businesses or find new jobs, with free training vouchers from TESDA and entrepreneurship support from DTI. As of June 24, 346 individuals in Israel have asked to return home. Twenty-six have already arrived, and fifty more are now being processed. Emergency cash worth USD 200, hygiene kits, and food packs were also provided to OFWs on-site.
UAE Moments
24-06-2025
- Politics
- UAE Moments
AFP on Standby to Help Repatriate Pinoys from Israel & Iran
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has confirmed it is ready to assist with the possible repatriation of Filipinos from Israel and Iran as tensions continue in the region. Monitoring Situation Closely AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said on Tuesday that the military is closely monitoring developments related to the Iran-Israel conflict. She noted that while the situation is evolving, the AFP is prepared to mobilize immediately if ordered. 'Should the need arise, the AFP stands ready to assist as directed,' Padilla said during a press briefing at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Coordination with Government Agencies Padilla stressed that the military will work closely with other government agencies once President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issues the official directive for evacuation. 'With the President at the helm, we are ready to act swiftly and in sync with other agencies,' she said. 'All of our assets are ready for deployment depending on the mandate.' Voluntary Repatriation in Progress The Philippine government is currently processing around 200 voluntary repatriations. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is in Jordan to assist Filipinos traveling home from nearby conflict zones. President Marcos Jr. earlier reiterated that repatriation from Israel and Iran remains voluntary at this stage. Thousands of Filipinos in Affected Regions According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), there are approximately 30,000 overseas Filipino workers in Israel and around 1,180 in Iran, most of whom are married to Iranian nationals. The AFP has a history of assisting in the evacuation of Filipinos during international crises and stands ready to do so again, should the situation escalate.
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Delay OFW deployment to Middle East amid tensions, DMW tells recruitment firms
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday urged private recruitment agencies (PRAs) to delay the deployment of Filipino workers to conflict-affected areas in the Middle East to ensure their safety. In its advisory, DMW reiterated the OFW deployment restrictions in Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. 'Right now, we're on Alert Level 2 in Israel, which means new hires are prohibited, but pwede ang returning,' DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said. 'However, due to the airspace restrictions, it is impossible for them to go, including those bound for Jordan, because they will just be turned back in case of the closure of the airspace,' he added. The advisory mandates PRAs to: • Maintain active communication with employers and foreign partners to verify the location and safety of deployed workers; • Conduct regular welfare checks and submit updated reports through the OFW Welfare Monitoring System; • Develop contingency plans covering evacuation and emergency repatriation; • Shoulder costs of rerouting or rebooking flights for OFWs affected by airspace closures; and • Refrain from processing deployments to Jordan and Israel until clearance is issued. 'When we speak in a regulatory sense, they have to comply. Any agency that continues deployment despite the directive will face penalties,' Cacdac said. 'And yes, 'yong cost of travel hahabulin namin sila doon kung kami ang gumastos sa pagpapauwi (we will charge them the cost of travel because we're the ones paying for it),' he added DMW said that as of June 19, it has assisted 58 stranded OFWs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for repatriation. Of the stranded OFWs, 43 were bound for Israel and 15 for Jordan. DMW also said it met with PRAs in Jordan to explain the current situation and limitations of OFW deployment. 'Handa silang mag-aantay at tumulong sa lahat nang na-stranded nating mga OFWs (they are willing to wait and help the stranded OFWs),' said DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, relaying the response of Jordanian employers. In a Reuters report, Iran and Israel targeted each other with missiles and airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Earlier today, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the 21 stranded Philippine government officials safely crossed into Jordan from Israel. DFA also said the Philippine government is considering raising the alert levels on Israel and Iran as attacks between the two countries continue.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Khaleej Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: 18 Filipinos stranded at DXB repatriated home amid Israel-Iran conflict
The Philippine government has successfully repatriated 18 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were stranded at Dubai International Airport. They arrived on June 13 and were supposed to be on their way to work in Israel and Jordan but were stranded in Dubai due to the temporary shutdown of major airports amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Philippine labour attache John Rio Aceveda Bautista told Khaleej Times on Tuesday the OFWs arrived on Friday and were repatriated on June 15. Fifteen of the repatriated OFWs were returning workers to Israel, while three were newly hired workers bound to Jordan. After arriving in Manila on Monday, they were temporarily housed at a hotel, according to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). DMW secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said each OFW received Ph50,000 (Dh3,335) in financial assistance. 'This is not simply aid but a safety net as they have temporarily lost their source of income,' said Cacdac, adding the OFWs will also receive transportation allowance back to their respective home provinces. Meanwhile, Eduardo de Vega, undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the security threat in Israel is classified by the Philippine government as under alert level 2, meaning there are heightened risks to safety and security. 'Mandatory repatriation is based on alert levels,' Cacdac noted. 'We are still coordinating with the DFA and DND (Department of National Defence) on this. But rest assured, we are ready if the situation worsens.' Cacdac said there are about 30,000 OFWs – mostly employed in caregiving, agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing – in Israel. 'It it is difficult to determine how many are in immediate danger without causing unnecessary alarm,' he added. There are approximately more than 1,000 Filipinos in Iran. DFA said there are contingency plans for a possible evacuation route through Turkmenistan. Philippine officials reminded OFWs to monitor official channels for updates and to follow local advisories. After Israel launched strikes on Iran in Friday, several countries, including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel have closed their airspaces for commercial flights. UAE-based airlines immediately announced that customers connecting through UAE with final destinations in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon would not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.
