Latest news with #PatriciaYvonneCaunan
Filipino Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
21 OFWs from Israel to arrive in PH on July 3 amid Middle East repatriation efforts
Twenty-one overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel are expected to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Thursday, July 3, 2025, under the government's repatriation program prompted by rising tensions in the Middle East. OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan confirmed the arrival and reiterated the government's ongoing commitment to support OFWs affected by regional unrest. 'Tomorrow, 21 OFWs will arrive from Israel, followed by 15 on Saturday, and we're expecting another 28 more soon,' Caunan said during the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing. Despite over 373 OFWs having reached out to OWWA with repatriation concerns, only 26 individuals have finalized their return to the Philippines so far. 'We've been persistently following up with them,' Caunan added, noting that only 26 have confirmed repatriation despite OWWA's efforts. She assured the public that even though Israel has lowered its alert level to 2 and implemented a ceasefire, the government is still closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, especially in countries with large Filipino populations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait. Caunan also cited the arrival of eight OFWs from Iran, with more expected to return soon. Returning OFWs receive support that includes medical aid, financial assistance, temporary lodging, and psychosocial services. Among the recent returnees were a pregnant OFW and another battling cancer. Secretary Ted Herbosa of the Department of Health committed full medical coverage for these cases. 'We're taking care of them. The pregnant OFW will be assisted by the DOH for her childbirth expenses, and the cancer patient will receive free treatment,' Caunan noted. Many repatriated OFWs are now exploring new opportunities, with interest in entrepreneurship, local and overseas employment, and online jobs. 'We're focused on job matching and skills training. There are 8 million online jobs available, with free training programs to help OFWs qualify,' Caunan said. The OWWA is working closely with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to facilitate digital training and livelihood assistance for returnees.
GMA Network
02-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Wage recovery underway for seafarers unpaid for months in Iloilo — OWWA
Six Filipino seafarers who went unpaid for nearly three months aboard a foreign-flagged vessel anchored off the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait are now at the center of a government-led wage recovery effort, following their rescue and initial settlement negotiations. The case, which surfaced on June 27, revealed that the seafarers — part of a larger international crew — had been working without pay under difficult conditions. The situation prompted the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to extract the crew and begin resolving their wage claims. 'May pagkakasundo in terms of payment… may kino-claim sila na iba ang pinasweldo sa kanila kaysa sa kontrata. Mayroon pang isang kontrata under review ng DMW.' (An agreement on payment was reached… but the seafarers are claiming they were paid less than what their contracts stated. One contract is still under review by the DMW.) According to OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, although the six Filipino crew members have now disembarked safely and received initial financial aid, the process to fully recover their unpaid wages is still ongoing. Discrepancies between what the workers were paid and what was outlined in their employment contracts remain a critical issue. 'Umaasa tayo na matatanggap nila ng buo ang kanilang mga sweldo.' (We're hopeful they will receive the full amount of their salaries.) Caunan emphasized that a final resolution is contingent on further validation and enforcement of the seafarers' contracts, some of which are still being scrutinized by the DMW. The agency is also exploring possible legal remedies should negotiations with the vessel owners or manning agencies fail to yield full restitution. In the meantime, OWWA has provided each of the six seafarers with financial assistance, accommodation, and access to psychosocial support, as well as referrals for further medical care if needed. 'Bilang mandato ng OWWA at DMW, pangalagaan ang welfare ng ating seafarers,' she noted. (It is the mandate of OWWA and DMW to safeguard the welfare of our seafarers.) Caunan also acknowledged that the situation reflects larger systemic challenges Filipino maritime workers face, even in regulated sectors. She said the agencies are determined to pursue accountability. 'Talagang sinabi natin sa kanila, bayaran ng tamang sweldo ang ating mga kababayan at hindi tayo uuwi ng Manila hanggang hindi natin iuuwi ang ating seafarers.' (We told them clearly, pay our seafarers properly, and we won't leave for Manila until we've brought them home.) The six crew members were stranded aboard the vessel in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait alongside seven other foreign seafarers. They endured not only delayed compensation but also deteriorating onboard conditions, prompting emergency government action. OWWA said it will continue to monitor the case closely and provide updates on the status of wage restitution. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-06-2025
- 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
GMA Network
25-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
23 more Pinoys in Israel seek repatriation — OWWA
At least 23 more Filipinos in Israel have signed up for repatriation amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Wednesday. 'Sa bansang Israel, 340 ang natanggap tawag at request for repatriation. Ini-isa-isa natin yung 340 at doon natin nakuha yung 26 na unang batch, 50 na susunod, at itong 23 na susunod pa,' OWWA administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan told 'Balitanghali.' (We receive 340 calls and requests for repatriation from Israel. From that, we identified the first batch of 26, the next 50, and the additional 23.) According to OWWA, there are about 30,000 Filipinos in Israel. On Tuesday evening, 31 Filipinos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They are the first batch of Pinoys who were repatriated since hostilities between Israel and Iran began on June 13. Meanwhile, the flight of 50 Filipinos in Israel, which was supposed to arrive this week, was delayed due to the temporary suspension of Qatari air traffic after Iran attacked a US military base in Doha. 'Yung 50 dapat darating sila either June 26 or 27, pero nagkaroon ng pagsasara ng airspace kaya iadjust sa schedule so in the next coming days may update tayo kung kelan darating yung batch two,' Caunan said. (The 50 Filipinos were supposed to arrive on June 26 or 27, but the airspace was temporarily closed. So, we will adjust the schedule and give an update on their arrival in the coming days.) The Philippine government has raised the crisis alert to level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the affected areas to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation as armed hostilities between Israel and Iran continue. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier said eight Filipinos from Iran are expected to return to the Philippines this week.
GMA Network
23-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
OWWA: 76 OFWs in Israel requested to be repatriated amid conflict
OWWA Administrator and DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan said that only 76 OFWs have confirmed their request for repatriation. Of this number, 26 comprise the first batch scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on Tuesday. Some 253 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel have expressed their intent to be repatriated to the Philippines amid the conflict between the host country and Iran. OWWA Administrator and DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan said that only 76 OFWs have confirmed their request for repatriation. Of this number, 26 comprise the first batch scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on Tuesday. Flight arrangements are also underway for the next batch of 50 OFWs, who are expected to arrive within the week. Meanwhile, 8 OFWs from Iran are also set to be repatriated. Only a few have requested assistance from Iran, as the DMW-OWWA does not have an office in that country. To date, eight Filipinos have been reported injured, but only one remains confined in the hospital after undergoing an operation. Despite the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) declaring Alert Level 3 in both Israel and Iran, many OFWs are still undecided about returning home. Some believe the tensions will ease soon, while others are worried about losing their jobs. "May paniwala yung iba na patapos na yung nangyayaring conflict. May iba naman ayaw umalis dahil natatakot na wala nang babalik ang trabaho," Caunan said. "So iba-iba yung dahilan nung mga kababayan natin. Ang directive sa atin ng ating mahal na Pangulo at ni Secretary Hans ay hindi lamang kamustahin but to really put our people on the ground. So tinatawagan natin sila," she added. "Actually, baka nakukulitan na sila sa kakatawag natin pero gusto natin siguraduhin na talagang okay sila," Caunan said. There are over 30,000 OFWs in Israel, but only 76 have confirmed their intent to return. Caunan assured the public of the government's readiness to repatriate OFWs at any time they choose to return. "'Yung assurance natin from DMW and OWA is anytime na mag-decide sila that they want to be repatriated, ready yung team natin at i-aarrange natin yung repatriation agad nila.' She also reiterated that financial assistance amounting to P150,000 will be provided by OWWA and the DMW to OFWs from high-risk areas who decide to come home. This is on top of free repatriation tickets, hotel accommodations, and training vouchers from TESDA and DSWD. To bolster government support, OWWA has deployed augmentation teams to Israel and Jordan to provide assistance in high-risk areas. These include financial aid, food and hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and counseling for affected OFWs. Caunan emphasized that the government continues to monitor the situation of Filipinos across the Middle East, and she urged them not to hesitate to seek help should the need arise. –NB, GMA Integrated News
