The primary referral hub that provides social protection for left behind families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Davao City has already served 596 clients since its establishment in 2022, an official said.
Davao City OFW Families’ Welfare and Crisis Center Coordinator Rosevic Joey Jayme, in an interview, said since its establishment in May 2022 their office continued to provide social protection to OFWs and family members.
“Initiative gyud sa LGU nga ngaa ta’y special center for OFW families, karon naa ta’y 596 clients served (This is an initiative of the LGU, to have a special center for OFW families. So far, we have catered to 596 clients),” Jayme said, adding that most of the time it is the OFWs abroad who reach out to their office first.
Based on the data provided, Jayme revealed that the 596 clients are distressed OFWs—both documented and undocumented—as well as children of OFWs who are in need.
“These are the dependents of OFWs whom we have provided psychosocial support services, such as what we call AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation), livelihood assistance for our returning OFWs. This includes OFW families who are looking for start-up capital to support their OFW family heads, so that it’s not only the OFW who is relied upon. We also provide trainings and seminars for the families),” Jayme said.
She added that one of the best practices of the OFWCC is ensuring that the voices of OFW children are heard during the annual Children’s Congress, organized to bring attention to issues and concerns they face. Through this, the sector is recognized and receives needed support services at the barangay level.
Through the Congress the concerns of children who live alone and are vulnerable to abuse are also heard.
Jayme said that their office boosted advocacy campaigns against Trafficking-In-Persons (TIP). They also conduct pre-migration orientation (PMO) to prepare both OFWs and their families.
“Ang PMO ginahimo para ma-andam ang pamilya sa OFW, ma-educate nato sila para informed ilahang choice kabalo sila sa economic benefits of going abroad. Kini makatabang pud sa ilaha nga makabalo nga kung muabot ang panahon magka-problema kabalo sila asa muduol (These educate them so they can make informed decisions, understand the economic benefits of working abroad, and know where to seek help if problems arise),” she said.
Apart from the existing assistance to identified OFWs, Jayme said that their office also seeks to create a local database of OFWs to monitor families and better understand the needs of each barangay. The database will be used to craft better policies and programs for OFWs and the families.
Currently, the agencies that assist OFWs only have data for documented OFWs, Jayme said that they intend to locate undocumented ones so that they may also avail of the city’s programs. These programs include advocacy and targeted capacity building activities. The city allocated an annual budget to materialize these activities.
They currently capacitate communities through the PMOS for soon to be OFWs and returning OFWs and their family members, and through the Capability Building Activities for psycho-social and economic development of OFW and their families.
Jayme said that all of these seek to address and prevent problems that OFWs may face as they go abroad.
“Many have misconceptions and others often generalize that OFWs are economically well-off and do not need interventions, however, some of them face problems with family relationship, marital relationship, and some even face gender-based violence, and this are the concerns that the OFWCC seeks to prevent by giving advocacy programs in the community level,” she said.
Jayme said that for OFWs who may want to seek assistance their lines are open 24/7.
They can be reached through their hotline numbers 09999943577 / 09629966520; 082-225-6241.
The OFWCC can also be contacted via email ofwcenter.davaocity@gmail.com, and its Facebook page, OFW FAMILIES WELFARE and Crisis Center Davao City.
The OFWCC Help Desk is also currently located on the Ground Floor of the City Social Welfare and Development Office Building, Magallanes St. (Behind the City Hall Annex Building).
Jayme advised those who want to be catered to but are located far from city centers to go to their nearest barangay or district centers to inquire about programs for OFWs and their families.
“Kada barangay nato naa ta’y barangay social workers asa sila mulapit asa sila accessible ang location, layo diri dili sila maka-anhi diri we coordinate also with the CSWDO district offices (“In each barangay, we have barangay social workers whom they can approach, and whose locations are accessible to them. For those who are far away and can’t come here, we also coordinate with the CSWDO district offices.” Jayme said. CIO
