Rep. Ron Salo, hinikayat ang pamahalaan na bumuo ng 'Crisis Management and Response Task Force' na tutulong sa mga Pilipino sa Israel
Rep. Ron Salo, hinikayat ang pamahalaan na bumuo ng 'Crisis Management and Response Task Force' na tutulong sa mga Pilipino sa Israel;
Task force na tutulong sa mga Pilipino sa Israel, pangungunahan ng DMW at DFA
Task force na tutulong sa mga Pilipino sa Israel, pangungunahan ng DMW at DFA
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00:00 The creation of a crisis management and response task force for overseas Filipino workers, we will discuss with the Cabayan Party List Representative
00:10 and House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chair, Congressman Ron Salo.
00:15 Congressman Salo, good afternoon and welcome to the new Philippines.
00:20 Good afternoon to you Ms. Linia. Good afternoon to all our fellow Filipinos both inside and outside the Philippines listening to your program.
00:30 Let's start Congressman, what is the purpose and importance of this crisis management and response task force?
00:38 Is this only for our fellow Filipinos who are now stuck in the chaos of Israel and Hamas?
00:46 You're right. That's what we're looking for. It's very specific. The purpose is to help and ensure the security of our fellow Filipinos who are stuck in Israel and Gaza.
00:59 We're counting 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, but those in the conflict zone, there are 1,500 plus another 137 Filipinos who are living in Gaza.
01:16 Sir, regarding the budget, do you think the funds of the DMW and DFA are enough for the situation in Israel? What are the details here?
01:26 That's enough Ms. Linia. Actually, it's a big deal because it includes the OAS.
01:31 We should remember that the OAS has a big fund that was allocated to the Relief for 2020, for the repatriation of our fellow Filipinos. If they need to be repatriated,
01:43 there is a fund that our government can use.
01:47 Sir, have you talked about the possible use of 2023 contingency funds and how many available funds are there?
01:58 Actually, we did not discuss that because we are really sure that the DMW and DFA have enough funds, including the OAS.
02:08 I suppose, as I mentioned earlier, the funds allocated to the OAS for 2023 are billions that we can use, particularly to the members of the OAS.
02:21 But at the same time, these funds are from the national government, regardless if they are members of the OAS or not.
02:30 For as long as they are considered migrant workers, they can be used for their repatriation.
02:35 One of the cameras that removed the confidential funds is the DFA for 2024.
02:44 Do you think this will affect the DFA's contribution, like what's happening in Israel?
02:52 Definitely not. I'm very sure, certain that the capacity of the DFA will not be affected to contribute to these aspects.
03:03 At the end of the day, our DFA is continuing to help and support their counterparts abroad.
03:14 You will not need a confidential fund to do that because that's already part of your regular functions.
03:22 Sir Congressman, according to the Department of Migrant Workers, even if the government's repatriation is not yet starting,
03:32 they are already preparing livelihood and financial assistance to Filipinos who will be returning from Israel and Gaza.
03:39 Is this enough in your opinion? What other suggestions do you want to give them?
03:47 Of course, it's very important what we call livelihood so they can adapt.
03:55 Of course, we cannot face their current income because we know that the salary of our countrymen in Israel is high.
04:05 But at least, it will be, I suppose, seed money so they can start when they arrive here.
04:13 At the same time, what we call capacity building is important. They need to be taught because even if they have funds,
04:21 they don't know how to do it, they don't have other skills, we call it upskilling. They need to be given a habit,
04:30 aside from what they already know. Of course, there is also TESDA that is helping because OAN has a partnership with TESDA.
04:39 So these are the important components. It's really about teaching them, what we call financial literacy, how to handle money,
04:52 but at the same time, their skills, how to enter the business. They become entrepreneurs whenever that particular business that they will enter,
05:04 they should be capacitated and given appropriate skills for that particular thing that they will pursue.
05:14 Sir how will the livelihood be after repatriation?
05:18 Will the support of repatriated OFWs be included in the Crisis Management and Response Task Force, aside from the support that OAN will provide?
05:30 One of the things we are looking at is the type of social support that we will provide them.
05:37 We know that if they come from a conflict zone, they may have trauma.
05:45 So they need to be supported, particularly by our Department of Health and at the same time, by the DFWP.
05:52 They are included in the task force that we are proposing to become members of this particular task force to ensure that they will not be more vulnerable.
06:01 So the whole component of support can be given to our countrymen who are being repatriated.
06:09 Sir we have a question from our media partner, Mela Lesmoraz of PTV.
06:16 Her question is, do you think that the government should pass a particular order or law
06:22 to clearly list the aid and services that will be provided by the authorities to the repatriated Filipinos?
06:29 Whenever there is a conflict, it is a common scene that some do not want to go home because they are afraid of their poverty in the Philippines.
06:37 So if there is a law or particular mandate, do you think that it will help?
06:44 What you're mentioning is good and we will consider this.
06:49 At the same time, we will remember that before they left the Philippines, that is the reason why they left.
06:57 Because our countrymen are mentioning it, it's because they leave opportunities here.
07:03 But I suppose really, it's not about what we are doing. We will attach this to an advocacy that I am leading.
07:11 It's really about developing the capacity for critical thinking and empowering our people.
07:17 Because in the first place, at the end of the day, when they return here, we will give them to start anew.
07:24 So it means that amount would be sufficient for them to be able to start anew.
07:30 I suppose before they left the Philippines, they have enough money because like that, when they go to Israel, their expenses are higher.
07:41 Yet, they did not consider that in the scheme of things.
07:46 That's why it's important that before our countrymen decide to leave the Philippines and try their fortune abroad,
07:57 they should consider the other factors.
08:00 Because like that, if that's how they will start, they might as well consider it before they even left the Philippines.
08:10 In other talks, the Cabayan Party List and the DSUD or Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
08:21 have reached an agreement on the household that includes OFWs as beneficiaries.
08:27 What are the details of this, Congressman?
08:30 Your question is very good Ms. Niña.
08:33 So we are the key part of the Department of Housing and Human Settlements for the security of the household of our OFWs, among others.
08:46 So this means that one of the rules that the Cabayan Party List will implement is to identify possible beneficiaries.
08:55 Of course, many are applying to us and many are sending their requests or applications.
09:02 We will help them to ensure that they have access to the program of our government.
09:10 Last question sir. What are the programs and legislative measures that you are proposing for our OFWs?
09:18 We are proposing the following pension plan for our OFWs.
09:28 You know, this is one of their biggest requests and aspiration of our OFWs.
09:36 After several years of working abroad, they are returning home and they lack the pension they were expecting.
09:45 So your service, Congressman Gonzalo, is suggesting that they will receive a pension for them.
09:50 We are also suggesting the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers.
09:55 It is already passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.
10:00 Soon, there will be a bicameral conference.
10:02 The House and Congress will hold a committee hearing to fix the provision for a consolidated pension that will be submitted to the President.
10:16 Thank you very much. Thank you very much for your time, Cabayan Party List representative and House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chair, Congressman Ron Salo.
10:27 (upbeat music)