MANILA, Philippines — During a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Brian Poe raised critical questions regarding the mobilization of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) trust fund, which has reached a record high of ₱21.3 billion.
Poe highlighted the financial struggles of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) currently facing uncertainty in the Middle East. He noted that while workers pay a $25 membership fee that includes repatriation assistance, the current financial aid—reportedly around AED 700 (approximately ₱10,000)—is insufficient. Poe emphasized that OFWs often have to choose between waiting for jobs to reopen or paying high fees to move to other regions like Saudi Arabia, making current aid levels inadequate.
In response, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac clarified that the current assistance is “pantawid” (bridge) funding sourced from a separate Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Action Fund, rather than the trust fund itself. OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan added that the ₱21.3 billion trust fund (which grew to ₱21.6 billion this month) is reserved exclusively for programs dedicated to OWWA members, such as the “Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay” reintegration program.
Poe urged the agencies to ensure that these substantial funds are effectively utilized and that information regarding available support is clearly communicated to OFWs to combat online misinformation. “I want to let our patriots abroad know that there are funds available for them and we are getting those funds to them,” Poe stated.