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By Anthony Vargas, Reporter
THE Department of Labor and Employment on
Saturday defended its move of suspending loans for overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs). It said that with less than one-third of the loans
being repaid, the suspension is a necessary measure to stop the
drain that threatens OFW funds.
“The measure is necessary to review the
program and come up with better OFW assistance and at the same time,
continue, sustain, and preserve the integrity of Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration [OWWA] Fund,” Acting Labor Secretary Romeo
Lagman said.
The acting Labor chief added that the
department’s loan suspension move is consistent with responses
made earlier by OWWA which had succeeded in recovering previous
investment and raised the OWWA funds to a stronger level capable of
responding to the needs and exigencies facing the OFWs.
“These moves succeeded in shoring up strongly
the integrity of the Fund and had helped OFWs not only in
pre-departure, but to a large extent in welfare benefits, livelihood
and scholarships,” he said.
Lagman cited the full respect for the concerns
of the legislature of the OFWs’ plight, especially those lacking
personal finances needed for departure for overseas work.
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