DFA’s ATN functions for OFWs to be turned over to DMW
THE Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) assistance-to-nationals (ATN) functions for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be turned over to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on July 1, a ranking diplomat announced on Wednesday.
“In those countries where they do have attaches (migrant workers offices or MWOs), all request for assistance for OFWs will go to the DMW,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said in a press briefing adding these covers both the documented and undocumented workers.
De Vega clarified that the PHP1 billion ATN fund of the DFA would remain and all assistance for OFWs, including legal or medical assistance, repatriation and shipment of remains would be funded by the DMW’s separate AKSYON Fund.
The DFA said Ofws who are in the following places: Middle East and Northern Africa: Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates; Europe: Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom; and Americas: Canada, United States, who need assistance may personally, or through their relatives, contact the DMW through the 24/7 hotline numbers87221144 or 87221155; or [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected].
The DFA shall continue to be responsible for assisting OFWs in other countries other than the ones mentioned above through its assistance to nationals and legal assistance funds.
De Vega added the DFA shall also continue to assist all other overseas Filipino nationals worldwide who are not OFWs/temporary workers, but fall under other categories (syudents, tourists, dual citizens, permanent residents, etc.).
Such persons or their relatives may request the DFA for assistance through telephone number88344996 or email [email protected]; Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/OFWHelpPH.
