On October 6, 2019, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), together with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), welcomed 158 repatriated Overseas Filipinos (OFs) at Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Parañaque City.

The Department offered psychosocial interventions to said repatriated distressed OFs such as social integration services and counseling services, as well as financial assistance to ease their crisis situations.

Present in the activity to show their support are DSWD Assistant Secretary Glenda Relova and DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas. “Nandito po kaming lahat para sa inyo. Nais po naming ipakita na ito ang nagtatrabahong gobyerno, sama-sama para tulungan kayo,” Assistant Secretary Relova said in her inspirational message for the OFs.

Assistance to repatriated Overseas Filipinos is part of DSWD’s mandate to provide social services to distressed OFs in foreign countries, most especially those who are undocumented, pursuant to the provisions of R.A. No. 10364, otherwise known as “The Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.”

DSWD is a member of the Joint Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons, together with other government agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Department of Health. It requires DSWD personnel to meet the repatriated trafficked persons upon their arrival to the Philippines, to provide immediate protection and assistance.

Human trafficking may be reported through hotline 1343 for Metro Manila areas or +632 (1343) for outside Metro Manila or the Philippines. ###