DFA asked Filipinos in Yemen to restrict their movements

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)  asked Filipinos in Yemen to restrict their movements to only those which are absolutely essential and also to voluntarily depart the country in view of the ongoing tensions in the country.

"We are hopeful that the political situation will stabilize. Nonetheless, precautionary measures necessary to assure the safety of our Filipinos in Yemen," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis said in a press conference.

He also said that the DFA raised the alert level in Yemen from alert level 1 (heightened alertness) to alert level 2 (restriction of movements), upon the recommendation of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, which covers the said country.

The situation in Yemen has also led other countries to adopt travel advisories in Yemen, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Indonesia.

"We ask them to adopt the following measures: actively monitor ongoing developments; keep their communications lines open with the Embassy in Riyadh and their designated community coordinators; inform the Embassy or Filipino community coordinators assigned to their area of their whereabouts; keep an emergency bag ready which contains clothing, water, canned goods and medicine good for two weeks, for themselves and for their family members, and; have important documents such as passports and money ready and at hand," Undersecretary Seguis added.

He also stated that there is yet no need to raise the level to alert level 3 (voluntary repatriation), where the DFA will make available facilities for their repatriation.

Undersecretary Seguis also assured the public that the Embassy's contingency plan in Yemen is updated and in place, and proactive measures are undertaken, including the conduct of meetings with the Filipino community leaders and members to brief them of the contingency plans.

"An advanced team from the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is also in place in the capital Sanaa, and additional officers and staff from the Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah are on standby in case more personnel are needed," he said. 

P10,000 financial assistance for OFW-repatriates from Libya now ready

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from Libya who are now residing with their families in the provinces may now claim their P10,000 financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regional offices.

"I advised the OFW-repatriate to immediately file their claim," said Baldoz, adding that the processing of claims will be on a first come-first serve basis.

She said that some OFW-repatriates were not able to claim the P10,000 financial assistance upon their arrival in Manila because they lack the needed requirements.

"There are accounting and auditing rules that OWWA should follow before releasing the financial assistance to ensure that they are , indeed, OFW-repatriates from Libya,"  Baldoz explained.

She added that OFW-repatriates in the provinces should immediately contact the nearest OWWA Regional offices for assistance in preparing the documents needed for the release of the P10,000 financial assistance allotted for them.

Meanwhile, the DOLE Regional Office in Bicol said the P10,000 financial assistance for overseas Filipno workers who returned from Libya has been released.

DOLE Bicol Regional Director Alvin M. Villamor and OWWA Director Jocelyn O. Hapal confirmed that OFWs can now claim their P10,000.00 fund assistance at the OWWA field offices in Region 5.

OFW returnees in Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate and Catanduanes can file their claims from Monday to Friday at OWWA Regional Office at 3rd floor ANST Bldg., F. Aquende Drive, Legazpi City while those coming from Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte can file claims at OWWA Satellite Office, 3rd Floor Raul S. Roco Bldg., City Hall compound, Naga City.

However, OFW-returnees from Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte are advised to go directly to OWWA Regional Office in Legaspi City on Fridays to personally claim the fund assistance.