Seven distressed overseas Filipino workers have been repatriated from Saipan after being adversely affected by the island’s economic downturn, according to the Philippines’ Migrant Workers Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
MWO-OWWA said the seven OFWs left Saipan last Sept. 14, following an earlier batch of four workers repatriated in July for the same reason.
The latest group included elderly and undocumented OFWs who did not have the financial means to purchase airline tickets.
Their airfare was fully funded through the Department of Migrant Workers’ AKSYON Fund and OWWA’s Emergency Repatriation Fund.
The cremains of two deceased OFWs were also flown home with the group, with OWWA covering the cremation expenses.
The repatriation was coordinated with the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Guam, which assisted with the required travel documents and certifications. Saipan’s Filipino community, led by attorney Ariel Mariano, also helped with the repatriation effort.
The community’s assistance echoes recent comments by Philippine Consul General in Guam Rosario P. Lemque, who praised Filipinos on Saipan for helping kababayans(countrymen) in distress, particularly undocumented Filipinos with limited resources.
“I suppose I am amazed at how they care about the fellow Filipinos here, especially those who are undocumented and are really in need of help,” Lemque told Marianas Press following a Sept. 12 Filipino community town hall at the Beach Garden Hotel.
Lemque also thanked community members who have contributed their own money and time to assist fellow Filipinos.
“I'm so thankful for many of the fellow Filipinos who have continuously over the years been helping on their own, sharing their financial resources and their time to help the fellow Filipinos who are in need of help,” she said.
During the same interview, Lemque addressed the situation of undocumented Filipinos who have remained in the CNMI, saying there is no exact figure for the undocumented Filipino population.
She also warned that those who choose to remain without legal status leave themselves vulnerable because they lack the protections afforded to workers with lawful status.
“You decided to stay without protection. You decided to stay without protection. Alam mong wala kang protection. Open ka sa abuso ng mga tao… lalo na yung the undocumented ones(You know you have no protection. You’re vulnerable to abuse by others… especially the undocumented ones),” Lemque said.
Her comments provide broader context to the latest repatriation, which MWO-OWWA said included undocumented OFWs who lacked the financial means to purchase airfare home.
Before their departure, an MWO-OWWA team led by welfare officer Mae Codilla briefed the repatriates on their flight itineraries and airport assistance during their layover in Hong Kong and upon arrival in Manila.
Mariano also advised the OFWs to complete their eTravelregistration before arriving in the Philippines and guided them on recording their departure through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection Home application.
Labor Attaché Saul De Vries said the Philippine government, through DMW and OWWA, remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of distressed Filipino migrant workers and ensuring their safe return home.
The latest repatriation brings to 11 the number of distressed OFWs identified by MWO-OWWA as having been repatriated from Saipan since July amid the island’s economic downturn.
Share this article:
