MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Magandang hapon, Malacañang Press Corps, and welcome sa ating press briefing ngayon, October 10.

While participating in the ASEAN Summit in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been closely monitoring the situation of Filipinos amid the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. He said that the government is currently crafting a plan with concerned agencies to repatriate more than 400 Filipinos that have voluntarily requested to come home to the Philippines.

And to give us more details on the directives of the President, we are joined by the Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. Good afternoon, Secretary Cacdac.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Thank you, Ms. Daphne. Good afternoon to all.

Yes, the President made clear in the meeting yesterday that first and foremost would be the safety and security, safe repatriation of Filipinos, OFWs in Lebanon who wished to be so repatriated. And so, the President directed the heads of the government agencies, the departments present there yesterday – myself and, of course, Secretary Ricky Manalo and Secretary Gilbert Teodoro of the DFA and DND respectively, and then OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio was also present, with the Executive Secretary also of course.

So, the directive is clear: To mobilize the government resources, government assets to bring our Filipinos home. And at the present, that’s what is being worked out in terms of sending a ship which could mean either a transport by air or by sea.

Now, as to the details, we would not yet divulge any more details other than that because we are at the stage that’s sensitive, preparatory stages. Rest assured there will be an adequate announcement once the transport arrangements have been finalized.

But what I do have for now is the 192 currently booked on commercial flights spanning October 11^th up to around October 28 on commercial airlines, at least two identified commercial airlines. And, in fact, there will be arrivals this weekend – 11 arriving this weekend. And we have around 413 pending, still ano… yet to be processed by Lebanese immigration authorities.

And, in so far as our shelters are concerned, we have around 179 in our shelters. We have 179 in our shelters, we have 4 shelters all around Beirut. We will not disclose, of course, the location but we have 179 sheltered in our 4 facilities at the moment. The capacity is not yet filled, so definitely our 4 shelters can still accommodate some more stayers or occupants.

And, yeah, that’s it. That’s it. That’s what I have for now.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Thank you, Secretary Cacdac. Any questions? Eden Santos, NET25.

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Secretary, good afternoon po. May mga binanggit pong considerations ang DFA bago mai-repatriate po iyong ating mga kababayan. Papaano po natin ito tutugunan para naman iyong mas maraming gustong umuwi ay mai-repatriate po? And, mula po don sa 11,000 na mga nandoon, bakit po kakaunti lamang iyong mga nag-signify na gusto na nilang umuwi?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Okay. I’ll take that first question ano. Yes, tama, may requirements naman ano, so that’s why we’re working closely with the DFA here in Manila and with Ambassador Balatbat on the ground. We have a labor attaché as well in Beirut – in fact, we have two labor attachés there at the moment on augmentation mode so… which is another thing pala, we sent augmentation teams also ‘no so we have added personnel on the ground on the part of the DMW and the OWWA.

So, may mga requirements talaga, may requirements with respect to Lebanese immigration; and then, of course iyong transport ‘no – the chartering arrangements will also have to go through clearances to be issued by Lebanese authorities. So, mayroon at mayroon talagang requirements pa bago ma-execute iyong directive ng ating Pangulo.

And, as to the second question… ano iyong second question? Medyo may jetlag pa ako.

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Papaano po natin tutugunan muna iyong mga requirements na po na iyon? On the process na po ba lahat iyon? And then the 11,000… opo.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Oh, yeah. I got it na, iyong bakit ano. Now, iyon nga, tinutugunan ngayon ng DFA so we’re thankful to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sec. Ricky and his team, and Ambassador Balatbat on the ground.

Ngayon, iyong mag-a-avail ng repatriation, I think first foremost is the nature of the work of our OFWs. Most of our OFWs are domestic workers running up to nearly a hundred percent, I would say about 98 percent of OFWs in Lebanon are domestic workers. So, therefore, their places of work would be the employer’s households. So, they are should I say, devoted to or in daily service of their respective employers. They might have served long enough to have a sense of loyalty and commitment to serve and to work for their employer households ‘no.

So, that could be one reason, iyong nature of their work ‘no. They’re not corporate, they don’t work in factories or establishments where it would be easier to facilitate their release and return ‘no. Should I say, the emotional ties, is may be a little stronger the bond is stronger kapag domestic work – almost similar to the Israeli situation where most of our OFWs are caregivers, ‘di ba.

And, of course, the income is there but we’d like to believe we are already addressing or have addressed the matter on the loss of income that may incur if they come home. So, ang financial assistance that we’re offering can go up as high as P150,000 between DMW and OWWA upon arrival. That’s good for four to six months’ salary.

And then, we understand Sec. Rex Gatchalian of DSWD also brings in his own financial assistance ‘no; and then, of course, Sec. Ted Herbosa with DOH – upon arrival, medical assistance including psychosocial assistance.

So, I would believe, those are the factors. However, having said that, kung safety and security ang pinag-uusapan ay human nature/human instinct to preserve oneself, to make sure that one is safe and sound for his or her own family. And so, when the President ordered to make arrangements for chartering and for mobilization of government resources and assets, we would think that there would be a reaction on the part of our workers in such a way na gugustuhin na rin nilang umuwi.

So, sa tingin ko, we are also sensing anyway na tumataas iyong nag-a-avail, iyong number ng nag-a-avail. To give you an illustration, in September and October – September and October accounts to as high as 30 to 40 percent of the total repatriations for the entire year. So, in two months, nahagip natin iyong 30/40 percent ng total repatriations for the entire year. So, you can sense na medyo dumadami iyong nag-a-avail ng repatriation.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Okay. Harley Valbuena, DZME.

HARLEY VALBUENA/DZME: Hi, good afternoon, Secretary. Sir, sa briefing po dito last week, nabanggit din po na may OFWs sa Lebanon allegedly ayaw payagan ng employers nila na umuwi and iniipit po iyong passports and other documents nila. So, are we able to resolve that already?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Our people on the ground, that would include obviously DMW and OWWA, Admin Arnell’s people on the ground, are well-equipped; we are experts in handling situations like this. We know how to talk to the workers. We know how to talk to the employers and convince them ‘no to allow our workers to come home. So this is within the expertise, this is right up our alleys so to speak, talking to employers. So we have no worries there. And if it takes having to pay some fees such as immigration penalties, kasi mayroon ding mga situation na undocumented iyong worker, then we are willing, together with the DFA, to shoulder certain immigration fees and penalties.

And, of course, the last thing there is iyong Lebanese immigration in a situation where the employer refuses to release an OFW has the final say, the final word on this, so puwedeng ma-override ng Lebanese immigration, ng Lebanese government iyong matter on release or allowing our OFW to come home.

So, again, it’s a joint effort between DFA, DMW and the OWWA to help our OFW come home kapag ganiyan ang sitwasyon.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Okay. Mariz Umali, GMA 7.

MARIZ UMALI/GMA 7: Hi, sir. Good afternoon. Secretary, can I just clarify: Do we have 11,000 total Filipino population in Lebanon?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yes.

MARIZ UMALI/GMA 7: And right now, the total number of those who wish to be repatriated are, how many?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: We have 192 ready for repatriation, and around 413 in the pipeline so to speak, meaning to say, yet to be processed by Lebanese immigration. Iyong 413, that would include the number of latest applicants na pina-process pa ng DMW na ipo-forward naman sa Lebanese general security. So it’s a two-step process as far as we are concerned.

We will receive the request for repatriation of worker; we will process at our level, DMW and OWWA; and then we endorse the same to Lebanese immigration, that’s the second step in the process. So between those two processes, 413.

MARIZ UMALI/GMA 7: So those challenges which you have mentioned a while ago are enough, this will give you enough time for the scheduled October 11? Is that October 11 to 28? May binanggit po kasi kayo na October 11 to 28.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Iyong 11 to 28, iyan iyong na-book na 192 commercial flights; two airlines, yes.

MARIZ UMALI/GMA 7: Pero hindi pa sure kung makakaalis na kaagad?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Oo, kasi the bookings go from October 11 to October 28. So to give you an example, may 11 nga na uuwi, labing-isa na uuwi this weekend on three different flights. Hindi sila mai-book nang sabay-sabay in one … iyong usual na—ano bang tawag doon? iyong block booking. Medyo hirap sa ganoon ngayon. Iyong kukunin mo iyong buong section ng isang eroplano, medyo hirap sa ganoon kaya the term is kinakamada natin iyong mga flights and the workers are assigned to different flights.

MARIZ UMALI/GMA 7: Ano po ang pinaka-challenge right now para maayos lahat ng mga dokumento nila?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: The big challenge is, of course, the Lebanese authorities are trying their level best to our mind. And our embassy, our labor attaché is also trying their level best to follow through with the Lebanese authorities. So it’s not, should I say, dynamic ‘no that goes on every day, iyong coordination and follow-up with the Lebanese authorities.

And again, we are hoping and praying na mag-release—may mga subsequent releases ‘no doon sa mga pending na nag-a-apply for clearance.

MARIZ UMALI/GMA 7: Sir, how is the situation right now in those four shelters where the Filipinos are being housed, nakikita po ba natin that anytime soon we will be raising the alert level to four?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Okay, doon sa shelters muna – two different things ‘di ba. The first one is sa shelter, they are fine; they are safe and sound. We have a social worker. And Admin Arnell recently deployed one of his welfare officer doctors. So, we also have a doctor there looking after our OFWs, and we have, again, augmented personnel. We have a nurse. So we have a nurse; we have a social workers and a doctor doing the rounds in the four different shelters.

Actually, iyong isa pang shelter is still being reserved, so hindi pa ginagamit; iyong tatlo ang talagang ginagamit ngayon.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Sorry, Mariz and Secretary, we are being joined right now by Administrator Arnell Ignacio from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. He is joining us via Zoom from Taiwan to give us the latest information.

Administrator Ignacio, do we have you? Can we patch him?

OWWA ADMINISTRATOR IGNACIO: Yes, good afternoon. Good afternoon, Sec. Hans. I am trying to share the pictures and videos of our OFWs in our shelters. Can you give me a few seconds, so then we can have, the press can have a clear idea of how they are? We are serving food. And as the Secretary mentioned, they are being very well taken care of.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Okay, while waiting for that, we take one more question for now. Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, what prompted po the President to call for the meeting and give the directive in the middle of the ASEAN Summit?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Well, I’ll take that last part on Mariz’s … sa DFA who reviews the alert level, we are in the hands of our dear colleagues sa DFA ‘no which is so far sa review is being—and I know that the review is being undertaken.

Okay, doon sa—ano nga ulit, Pia?

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Iyong sa meeting, sir, what prompted him to—

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Okay, okay. More than anything, it’s the President’s concern ‘no for our OFWs. The President has always been concerned for the welfare and security/safety of our OFWs. So he deemed it a proper time to convene all of us and find ways to heighten or strengthen our approach in terms of securing the safety and security of our OFWs, so therefore he issued the above stated directives.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: And it’s not because mayroon tayong intelligence, for example, you’re expecting a significant escalation ng situation sa Lebanon, sir?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: The political and security side, I will have to leave to our colleagues in the DND and the DFA. But rest assured the main objective really is to bring our OFWs safely and with the proper government support and protection.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Kasi even before this directive, sir, we have been repatriating our kababayan in Lebanon. But with this directive of the President, ano po iyong aasahan natin na bago or pagbabago doon sa response po ng government, short of iyong mandatory evacuation?

DMW SEC. CACDAC:  Yeah, as I said, pinalakas ‘no, pinalakas ni Presidente iyong responses natin in such a way na he ordered a mobilization of government resources and assets. The DND is involved, so we are thankful to Secretary Gilbert and, of course, the President directed the Secretary of the National Defense to help us out. So that’s one main difference. It’s a huge difference because now we have the support of the armed forces.

Of course, iyong continuing directive ng Presidente na siguraduhin na mayroon din siya kasing concern doon sa mga OFWs who still want to get into the shelters. So they’re still outside of the shelters and needing to get into the shelters. So that was taken up too, and so we will also heighten our services and our movements in such a way na mayroon na kaming help desk, anyway, so puwede kaming tawagan, may help desk na.

So, pinaigting ng Presidente at sabi niya, mas lalo nating tugunan iyong pangangailangan ng OFWs on the ground.

OWWA ADMINISTRATOR IGNACIO: Here they are. Those are our shelters. So, as you can see this is very far from how we picture them as panicking. There’s a fiesta atmosphere there already.

As directed by our President, our Secretary to take care of them. OWWA has been serving them with care and we’re serving them very well here.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: I sense na may mga photos that were—iyan…iyan marami pa but anyway, perhaps, Admin., these can be shared na lang siguro in your social media accounts.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Okay. Do we have any questions for Administrator Ignacio while we have him on the line? Okay. Perhaps we can go on with the questions here.

MARIZ UMALI: For Administrator. Sir, this Mariz Umali. I would just like to ask regarding those Filipinos who are in tents right now. There are reports that Filipinos in Beirut are staying in some tents. How is their situation right now? Is this different from those who are in the shelters which you have shown just a while back?

OWWA ADMIN. IGNACIO: Yes. If ever these reports are confirmed we can always have them brought to our shelters, I believe we have four and all these shelters are equipped and supplied with food and all the means for them to get in touch with their relatives. Everything is in place. So, if we can identify where these reports are of OFWs staying in tents, we will go to them and bring them to our shelters.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yeah. We have… DMW, OWWA personnel have been doing the rounds in Beirut and the report yesterday was they did not find any Filipino, kasi ‘di ba sa media, iyong mga international media iyong mga litrato nasa bangketa, nasa square, sa park ganiyan ‘no. But yesterday we did not find any Filipinos lying on the ground or in tents but the rounds will continue ‘no. The instructions for them to do the rounds will continue, hahanapin namin sila kung mayroon man.

Ang initial report na nasagap namin is iyong mga nagpunta sa square were there for the intense bombing that happened on that weekend where Nasrallah was fatally wounded. But other than that, they have either gone back to their homes or have gone elsewhere. But nevertheless our hotlines are there, as I said ‘no, mayroong mga walk-ins, may may nag-e-email, may tumatawag. So, we are always ready, we stand ready to be available for anyone seeking our help.

OWWA ADMIN. IGNACIO: Sec., would you like us to share some of the pictures of our centers. I can share pictures since the videos that I’m having difficulty with.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Go ahead.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Sige.

OWWA ADMIN. IGNACIO: With our OFWs.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Why not.

OWWA ADMIN. IGNACIO: Okay. Here are…Nasi-share ba?

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: It’s the same one that we’ve seen, Admin.

OWWA ADMIN. IGNACIO: Ah okay.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: You showed us the ones where they are holding the bags and being…

OWWA ADMIN. IGNACIO: Ah okay iyon na-share na pala okay.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Si [unclear] iyon iyong nakikita ko eh.

OWWA ADMIN. IGNACIO: Naibigay ko na pala iyon.

DMW SEC. CACDAC: I’m sure you have more photos, Admin. My suggestion is just to share them in your sites, in the thread daw of this Malacañang Press Corps.

OWWA ADMIN. IGNACIO: Okay. Sige, i-download ko lang.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Okay. We have a question maybe you could take some also if it pertains to you. Let’s go on to Alexi Romero, Philippine Star.

ALEXIS ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: Secretary, can I clarify. So, the government is reviewing whether to elevate it to level four?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: That’s right, through the DFA. Under the law, it is the DFA that sets the alert level to Alert Level Three and the review for Alert Level Four.

ALEXIS ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: So, when it’s Alert Level Four, it would be mandatory evacuation correct?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Repatriation.

ALEXIS ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: Ah repatriation. Okay. So, when do we expect the government to come up with a decision on this?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: It’s hard to tell for our part kasi nga DFA ang nagko-conduct ng review. So, we will just await for their action or for their advice from our colleagues, the DFA, Sec. Ricky.

ALEXIS ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: But if ever the government decides to elevate the status, is the government ready for the mandatory repatriation?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yeah, we stand ready. In fact, that might have been answered already – your question might have been answered by the President’s directives yesterday. So, the President has heightened our engagement in terms of safely repatriating our OFWs out of Lebanon. So, that would accommodate any situation more particularly kung itinaas sa Alert Level Four.

ALEXIS ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: Ah okay. Kasi iyong directive kasi ni Presidente is based on the context na Alert Level Three but covered din pala kahit mag-Alert Level Four?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yes, of course, kasi mobilization of government resources na eh.

OWWA ADMINISTRATOR IGNACIO: And, Sec., if I may add?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yeah.

OWWA ADMINISTRATOR IGNACIO: Oo. We’d like to emphasize since day one following the directive of the President kahit hindi pa niya sinasabi or hindi pa tayo concern dito sa mandatory repatriation ay naka-ready na ang ating mga tao, naka-ready na rin ang lahat ng panggastos and all doon sa lahat ng areas where we can repatriate, iyan po ang ginawa namin under the leadership of the Secretary. So, hindi tayo kakapusin ng kilos. Thank you.

5. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Okay. We have a question from Camille Samonte, TV 5.

CAMILLE SAMONTE/TV 5: Secretary Hans, I just want to ask, na-discuss din po ba doon sa meeting kahapon with President Marcos if iko-consider iyong pagkuha ng chartered flights or paggamit ng C-130 to bring them back home because kanina po may mga nakausap kami na family ng mga OFWs na nasa Lebanon na naiipit sa giyera nagrereklamo sila kasi nababagalan daw sila doon sa tugon ng gobyerno para mapauwi iyong mga kaanak nila dito?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yeah. As I mentioned, may proseso ‘no nang pagpapauwi – una, iyong processing ng Lebanese immigration authorities ‘no. And as I said, we are enhancing or should I say strengthening iyong coordination namin with the Lebanese immigration side ‘no. We’re hoping na magkaroon pa ng further releases ‘no ng mga clearances; and then the second one is the flight bookings. So, those are the two challenges at the moment but iyon nga, napakalakas ng tugon ng pamahalaan through the President’s directives yesterday.

As a third measure, we will now mobilize our resources and assets to not just rely on commercial flight bookings. So, matutugunan din naman ito.

So, ang ginagawa natin sa ngayon, iyong mga humihingi ng tulong, kailangan ng pagsagip ay dinadala natin sa shelter or ina-accommodate natin sa shelter at iyon nga iyong pinakita ni Admin. Arnell. Nandoon naman, aalagaan natin sila until sila ay makaalis.

So, talagang ganoon lang sa ngayon ang proseso but rest assured, help is on its way.

1. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Alvin Baltazar, Radyo Pilipinas.

BALTAZAR/RADYO PILIPINAS: Secretary, magandang hapon po. Sec., how do we get through doon sa mga kababayan natin na nasa southern Lebanon, and apparently, nandoon yata iyong bombahan na talaga, mayroon na tayong mga kababayan na hindi makalabas daw sa bahay nila and humihingi ng rescue?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Ang bilang kasi ng DFA at DMW, OWWA is less than a hundred doon sa southern portion. But many of them have already moved up to the central part in Beirut and some of them nasa shelter natin, so we’re already accommodating them. Pero iyon nga, we are also working closely with the embassy and patuloy din ang paglikas ng mga nandodoon pa sa southern parts. But the way I understand it, is hindi sila ganoon karami, pero kailangan pa rin talaga silang tulungan. Kaya’t rest assured dadalhin natin sila up to the central portion, away from the south. And may directive na rin ang ating labor attaché at OWWA on the ground na sunduin sila doon, i-transport sila from the south to the central portion.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ: Mariz Umali?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: By the way, I forgot to mention, iyong sinabi na kapag kinuha ng employer iyong passport, nandidiyan naman ang DFA to issue the travel document. So, hindi naman mabigat na isyu iyong walang passport iyong kababayan natin.

UMALI/GMA7: Sir, what do we plan to do naman po doon sa mga Pinoys who do not wish to go back home, because they believe they won’t be affected by the bombings dahil ang sinasabi nila, their employers are not members of Hezbollah, sa ngayon na nasa Alert Level Three pa and if in case, the alert level will be raised to four?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yes, we will continue to make our services, iyon nga sabi ni Presidente, mobilizing our assets and resources available to our OFWs on the ground. Kasi iyon nga, iyong safety and security ang kadahilanan, kaya may Alert Level Three tayo. And of course, nire-review kung whether ire-raise to Alert Level Four. So, ang panawagan natin sa ating mga kababayan ay mag-avail na ng repatriation service, safe and free repatriation service ng Philippine government. Of course, mayroon silang sariling assessment at this stage kasi voluntary nga, as to whether they are safe or not, but just the same we make our services available.

Ang masasabi ko lang doon sa mga 458 or so na nakauwi na, sila ay safe and sound. Nandito sila sa Pilipinas, natulungan natin sila at patuloy natin silang tinutulungan sa reintegration and livelihood nila.

So, isipin na lamang din iyong kapakanan nila at tutulungan sila ng gobyerno sa kanilang pag-uwi. Iyan ang utos ni Pangulo, na bigyan sila ng complete reintegration, repatriation assistance pag-uwi nila.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN?

GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, I wonder po, iyong 11,000 are all OFWs or may kasama doon Filipinos already residing in Lebanon?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Supposedly kasama sa 11,000 iyong Filipinos, may estimates ang DFA, but not so much, nakita ko iyong figures, hindi aabot ng 200 eh. At least that’s what the figures I saw. So, iyong tinatawag na mga permanent residents or those married to Lebanese nationals. So, talagang ang bulto talaga ay OFW!

GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Pero, sir, mayroon po bang nag-signify na Filipinos residing in Lebanon na gustong magpa-repatriate sa Pilipinas? And iyong assistance natin sa OFWs, will they also be available to them pagdating nila dito?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yes, some of those in our shelters, around 14 of them are actually, what we call Overseas Filipinos, meaning not OFWs and married to Lebanese nationals with their children in the shelter. So, we are helping them out.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Last question from, again, Alvin Baltazar.

BALTAZAR/RADYO PILIPINAS: Secretary, siguro okay na doon sa repatriation. Pero other matter siguro. Secretary, mayroon na ba tayong assistance doon sa family noong na-execute na Pinoy doon sa Saudi Arabia? Ano iyong mga assistance na puwede nating maipagkaloob and any chance na maibalik iyong labi ng ating kababayan?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: We are working on the repatriation closely with the DFA. Tayo ay nakikiisa at nakikiramay sa pamilya ng ating nasawi na kababayan. Kami ni Admin Arnell, noong nasa OWWA pa ako, magkasama na kami sa pag-assist, of course OWWA handles the welfare side. So, nakilala na namin iyong pamilya noong panahon na nasa OWWA ako, kasama ko si Admin Arnell. And then, noong lumabas iyong balita, iyon kasing mga balita ng execution o pagsagawa ng execution, hindi iyan sinasabi o binibigyan ng advance notice eh, so lumabas iyong balita ay agaran na nagpunta iyong team ng DMW – OWWA, iyong  team ni Admin Arnell doon sa tahanan noong pamilya and assured the family of the support. There are school-aged children left behind, so tutulungan natin iyong mga bata, first and foremost, kasi iyon naman ang dahilan kung bakit nag-OFW ang isang tao, para sa mga anak.

Q: With regards to the 20 Filipinos surrogate mothers who were saved by the Cambodian authorities recently, ano po iyong concrete measures ng DMW in coordination with IACAT to stop human trafficking in Cambodia?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Yes, we heard of that, I heard of that bit of news and of course, we will work closely with the DFA. Cambodia is one country, where we don’t have a migrant workers’ office. But we are always working closely with the DFA. In Laos for instance, the President is there and I just came from there, we met with the Filipino community, so we work closely with Ambassador Amatong doon naman sa mga POGO issues doon, ‘di ba kamakailan lang.

We work closely with the DFA and that includes the unfortunate incident about surrogate mothers. Rest assured that we will do our level best to find our possible interventions in coordination with our Department of Foreign Affairs.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Do we still have Admin Ignacio on the line?

OWWA ADMINISTRATOR IGNACIO: Yes.

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:All right, we are about to wrap up this press briefing. Admin Ignacio, do you have any statement you would like to share with us, before we let you go?

OWWA ADMINISTRATOR IGNACIO: Thank you very much. As we have mentioned and emphasized, since day one we have been working closely of course with the DMW and the DFA. We have already assigned, sent people and provided with all the necessary funds for us to be able implement all the assistance necessary.

We would like to rest assure, sa lahat, tayo po ay nakahanda at hindi naman ito bago sa atin. And as the Secretary have mentioned, kahit noong siya po ay nasa OWWA, kami pong dalawa ay magka-partner na magka-partner, kapag ganitong mga krisis. Katulad noong binanggit ko kanina doon sa nangyari sa Saudi, as we speak, nandoon pa rin po ang ating mga kasama from OWWA and DMW sa pamilya nung na-execute nating OFW.

Ang gusto lang po naming sabihin, we are very active government ngayon. As directed by the President, since day one tayo po ay nakahanda na. Marami pong salamat!

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Thank you very much, Administrator Ignacio. Secretary Cacdac, any final words?

DMW SEC. CACDAC: Kumbaga eh, pareho lang din halos ng sinabi ni Admin Arnell. We are here of course to serve our OFWs. The Department of Migrant Workers was created exactly for that purpose. Banggitin ko na rin iyong hotline that is shared by Admin Arnel with the DMW, iyong 1348. So, dumulog lang po doon sa 1348 hotline, as well as iyong Lebanon Help Desk that we put up. There are also numbers there in the DMW Facebook Page. So dumulog lang po doon, nasa website ng DMW. So, dumulog lang po kayo at rest assured tutulungan po namin kayong lahat. Maraming salamat po!

MS. OSEÑA-PAEZ:Okay, thank you, Secretary Cacdac and Admin Ignacio. Thank you for giving us important updates about our fellow Filipinos in Lebanon and of course, the directives of President Marcos to bring them home by mobilizing all the assets of the government and during the stage of voluntary repatriation, thank you very much for all your work. And maraming salamat, Malacañang Press Corps. Magandang hapon.

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