LACK OF FUNDS PREVENTS AGENCY
FROM REPATRIATING PINOY
WORKERS FROM LEBANON
By Butch Fernandez and Cher Jimenez
Reporters
A CONGRESSIONAL Oversight Committee is set to conduct an inquiry into alleged anomalies in the disbursements of the multibillion-peso funds administered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in the wake of allegations that OWWA cannot release enough money to quickly evacuate Filipino workers from strife-torn areas of the Middle East.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, cochairman of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment, cited reports that the OWWA had a hard time releasing funds to repatriate some 30,000 overseas Filipino workers displaced by fierce fighting between Hezbollah militiamen and Israeli soldiers in Lebanon.
“Where is the P7.6-billion OWWA fund?” Senator Estrada asked.
He said the oversight committee inquiry would find out why President Arroyo only allocated P150 million to repatriate overseas Filipino workers in Lebanon.
“We want a full accounting of the OWWA fund,” the senator added.
In Resolution 515, Sen. Richard Gordon also backed a wider inquiry into the plans and resources of other concerned government agencies for the repatriation of OFWs in Lebanon.
Gordon, concurrent Red Cross chairman, lamented that the government is “always hard-put to effect contingency plans” whenever situations arise that endanger the lives of OFWs present themselves, as in the raging Lebanon crisis.
“Protection and assistance by Philippine government agencies, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency and the OWWA are mandated under Republic Act 8042, also known as the Migrant Workers Law of 1995,” Gordon said.
He added that OWWA, in coordination with appropriate international agencies, is tasked to undertake repatriation of Filipino workers in cases of war, epidemic, disasters or calamities, natural, man-made, and other similar events.
Senator Estrada scheduled for Monday the initial public hearing on the OFW repatriation fund investigation during which foreign affairs, labor and OWWA officials were summoned to give vital testimonies needed in crafting remedial legislation to address the perennial problem.
According to Estrada, no less than Beirut-based Father Agustin Advincula has voiced concern over the lack of funds for the safe repatriaion of Filipino workers affected by the bombing raids. Father Advincula is assigned at the Church of Miraculous Medal in Beirut where thousands of Filipino workers in Lebanon have sought refuge.
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