Latest news with #OFWs
GMA Network
5 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
2 OFWs in Iran from Central Visayas seek repatriation
Two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Iran from Central Visayas sought assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to be repatriated because of the impact of the Israel-Iran tension. The OFWs are from Cebu and Siquijor. Siquijor is still under the jurisdiction of OWWA 7 since the agency has no regional office yet in the newly created Negros Island Region (NIR). It was learned from Christina Marie Vistal, officer from OWWA, that the families of the two OFWs filed the repatriation request. While OWWA is glad of the reported ceasefire, it informs the public that Alert Level 3 has not been lifted yet, which means that no OFW will be allowed to leave the Philippines to work in countries affected by the conflict. It was learned that on June 24, 2025, at least 35 OFWs from Israel were repatriated, but none of them are from Central Visayas. The repatriated OFWs already received financial assistance from OWWA and from the Department of Migrant Workers. —GMA Regional TV
GMA Network
20 hours ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH provides mental health counseling to OFWs in Israel
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, on Saturday, led the online counselling sessions for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) living in Israel. Herbosa was joined by experts from DOH Mariveles Mental Health and Wellness General Hospital to debrief and provide psychological first aid to 60 OFWs, while some patients were referred to further mental health services offered by the DOH. 'We also understand the anxiety and fear of everybody. We want to tell you you're not alone. Kahit malayo kami, nandirito ang Pilipinas. Yung Department of Health naman tuloy-tuloy kami to support and endeavor to provide one of the services, which is psychosocial support,' he said. (We also understand the anxiety and fear of everybody. We want to tell you you're not alone. Even if we are far away, the Philippines is here. The Department of Health will continue to support and endeavor to provide one of the services which is psychosocial support.) 'Please know that we are always here and continue to explore all avenues to assist you. Stay strong, stay vigilant, and continue to look out for one another. We are praying for your safety and for peace in the region,' he added. The DOH initiative was conducted in support of efforts by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to provide mental health and psychosocial support for Filipinos amid armed hostilities in Israel. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Six OFWs from Iran arrive safely in PH
Six overseas Filipino workers (OFW) repatriated from Iran amid its conflict with Israel arrived safely in the Philippines on Saturday morning, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. The OFWs — five who worked as shrimp hatchery technicians in Iran and one domestic worker from Dubai who accompanied her employer to Iran as a tourist — arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, and DMW Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi welcomed the OFWs. The repatriated workers were also met by the MIA Medical Team as well as a social welfare officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The OFWs boarded an Emirates flight to Manila. "The repatriation was made possible through the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Tehran, led by Ambassador Roberto Manalo, in close coordination with the DMW and OWWA," the DMW said. The repatriated OFWs were given financial assistance by the DMW, OWWA, and DSWD. The MIA Medical Team also provided them with food and medical services. The OWWA will give the OFWs temporary hotel accommodations and domestic flights back to their home provinces. The DMW said two more OFWs from Iran are expected to arrive on Saturday night. "This group marks the first batch of Filipinos repatriated from Iran following the June 13 Israel-Iran conflict," the DMW said. President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday tasked government offices to take the necessary steps to ensure the safe and orderly return of Filipino workers who wish to avail themselves of voluntary repatriation. In a statement, Marcos said the government is already processing over 200 requests for repatriation and ''we are moving quickly to bring them home while others have opted to remain at work.'' ''I urge our fellow Filipinos to coordinate with our embassies in Tel Aviv and in Tehran. Please follow their guidance, inform them of your situation, and do not hesitate to ask for assistance,'' Marcos said. The Philippine government raised crisis alert level 3 in Israel and Iran on June 20, urging Filipinos in the area to avail of voluntary repatriation. Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions. At least 30,000 workers, mostly caregivers, are in Israel, and more than 1,000 are in Iran. Tensions heightened between Israel and Iran on June 13 after Israel struck nuclear and military targets Tehran with missiles. According to an Israeli military official, Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days. Iran retaliated, then both countries traded missile attacks. The US also bombed Iran nuclear sites on June 21, and Iran thereafter fired missiles at an American base in Qatar on June 23. A ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced by US President Donald Trump. —KG, GMA Integrated News
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Trump's proposed remittance tax raises alarms among Filipino migrants
LOS ANGELES: For millions of Filipino workers in the United States, sending money back home is more than a financial transaction – it's a vital act of care and survival. A proposed 3.5 per cent tax on remittances, embedded in the Trump administration's sweeping 'One Big, Beautiful Bill,' has raised alarms among Filipino immigrants who rely on remittances to support families in the Philippines. If enacted, the tax would take effect on Jan 1, 2026, and apply to remittances sent by non-US citizens, including green card holders and H-1B visa holders. Aquilina Soriano Versoza, executive director of the Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC), a grassroots nonprofit that services and organises low-wage and immigrant Filipino communities in the US, warned that the proposed measure would significantly harm the Filipino community. 'This bill will significantly affect Filipino workers who are not only making a living for themselves but also working hard to support their families back home in the Philippines,' she said. Versoza further criticised the proposal as discriminatory: 'Targeting remittances sent by non-US citizens with increased taxes is a clear act of discrimination that unfairly burdens immigrant communities. Tax policies should be applied equitably to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.' The proposed levy comes at a time when many Filipino families in the Philippines are already struggling with inflation and economic instability. For countless households, remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) spell the difference between financial security and hardship. Josephine Biclar, a caregiver and worker leader at the Pilipino Workers Center in Los Angeles, shared how inflation has already strained her ability to send money home. 'In our caregiving jobs, no work equals no pay. So right now, we are barely making ends meet, hardly sending anything to the Philippines because of inflation. If there are additional taxes on remittances, there will hardly be any money left to send.' Remittances are a key pillar of the Philippine economy, accounting for 8.3 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 7.4 pe cent of Gross National Income (GNI). The United States remains the largest source of these funds. In 2024, Filipino migrant workers sent a record-breaking $38.34 billion back to the Philippines – an increase of 3 per cent from the previous year, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This growth was driven by both land-based and sea-based workers, highlighting the enduring commitment of OFWs to their families. Analysts warn that the proposed tax could reduce remittance flows by as much as 5.6 percent, potentially costing the Philippines an estimated $500 million annually. The US plays a central role in remittance transactions, as most remittance centers abroad channel funds through correspondent banks based in the US. BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr responded cautiously, saying the central bank is still evaluating the proposed legislation and hopes it will not have a significant negative impact. Filipino immigrant communities in the US fear the measure will make their already difficult lives even harder. Some worry the tax may push workers to rely on informal and riskier channels to send money home. Versoza also pointed out logistical and ethical challenges the law could introduce: 'Additionally, money remittance service providers currently do not require information about a sender's immigration or citizenship status. Implementing this bill would not only force these companies to begin verifying this information, it would also raise significant concerns about privacy, data security and potential racial profiling. Singling out non-citizens for additional financial penalties is evidently discriminatory.' Biclar emphasised how the combined effects of inflation, taxes, and immigration fears are affecting Filipino workers' lives: 'Life for Filipinos in the US is difficult because of inflation and tariffs on remittances. Due to the high cost of living, we are forced to reduce the amount of money we send to our families in the Philippines. Sending money is really affected because even our survival here is a struggle, and if additional taxes are imposed on remittances, where else will we get extra money?' Beyond the economic impact, advocates warn that the remittance tax is part of a broader legislative package that also includes cuts to social safety nets – measures that could further marginalise immigrant communities. Biclar also cited growing anxiety among immigrants amid heightened immigration enforcement: 'Aside from tariffs and inflation, the current immigration situation in the US is affecting everyone, not only the undocumented but also those with papers. We have no choice but to slow down at work. It's scary to go out because of ICE raids.' As the bill continues to face deliberation in the Senate, its final outcome remains unclear. Still, Filipino workers and advocacy groups are preparing for the possibility that the remittance tax could become law – an outcome many believe would deeply undermine the cross-border bonds that sustain Filipino families around the world. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Filipino Times
2 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.
