Usec explains aid to overseas Filipino nationals in times of crisis

OWWA Welfare Officer Petrona Bergado (from left) Consul General Theresa Dizon De Vega, Undersecretary Sarah Arriola, Deputy Consul Kerwin Tate with volunteer lawyers and advocates for migrant workers. INQUIRER/Porsha Seechung

NEW YORK — High on everyone’s mind on the evening of Feb. 16 at the Philippine Consulate was the fluid situation facing Filipino overseas workers in Kuwait.

Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Sarah Lou Arriola led the discussion on delivering assistance to Filipino nationals overseas, with members and community leaders at the Consulate’s Kalayaan Hall. Consul General Theresa Dizon De Vega and Deputy Consul Kerwin Tate were also in attendance.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s had ordered an employment ban after learning of the horrific murder of 29-year-old Filipina, a domestic worker, who was found stuffed in a sitting position inside a freezer at an abandoned apartment, and in response to reports of multiple suicides committed by other workers to escape abuse.

The immediate repatriation orders, the total employment ban, and the sheer number of those requesting rescue and seeking to leave Kuwait immediately were overwhelming the modestly staffed consular office in Kuwait. But Undersecretary Arriola was quick to assure the Fil-Am community of the government’s response to those seeking help in that region.

More questions about the situation in Kuwait poured in from concerned citizens, and instances of abuse and pleas for help were noted mainly from Facebook.

USec. Arriola provided statistics and updates on rescue operations, a current amnesty program for those who overstayed their visas, as well as information on chartered flights bringing kababayans back home.

She also reported that each consular office has a Communications and Social Media Officer to promptly respond to citizens’ pleas. Those needing assistance can count on improved services especially now that there PHP 1-billion have been allotted for Assistance To Nationals (ATN), out of which P200 Million can be used for Legal Assistance Funds (LAF) programs.

Undersecretary Sarah Arriola (left) with Consul General Theresa Dizon De Vega. INQUIRER/ Porsha Seechung,

Discussions continued the next day, with attorneys and advocates against human trafficking. Officer Petrona Bergado of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Washington, DC, joined the focus group addressing human and labor trafficking prevention.

Arriola heard cases of Filipinos in the East Coast who were rounded up and detained in various immigration raids. Grassroots organization Damayan, FALDEF, and a representative from Jersey City Mayor’s Office were in contact with those detained to provide legal representation, temporary shelters for those running away from abusive employers. Several cases of victims of illegal recruitment were reported.

As for the prosecution of unscrupulous recruitment agencies, the possibility of remote video testimonial of witnesses to encourage complainants to come out was explored. Interagency cooperation with Dept of Labor, POEA and Department of Justice will be sought to encourage victims to come forward to sue.

Arriola further expounded on the ATN and LAF programs, which can cover filing and court fees for those who cannot afford to pay them, as well as reasonable incidental expenses associated with litigating cases—volunteer lawyers were happy to know this.

While there are differences in issues and situations facing Filipinos in the United States and those in the Middle East and other regions, Arriola assured community leaders that “Philippine consulates all over the world are all open to Filipinos; they’re supposed to be your second home –your sanctuaries, if there’s anything we can do for you, please come to us and our Assistance to Nationals program will be there to help you.”

Philippine Consulate General of New York Duty Officer Mobile Phone: (+1917) 294-0196 – For Emergencies only. Philippine Embassy in Kuwait ATN Hotline Number: +965-6500-2612