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  • 2019-06-26 (xsd:date)
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  • No, the Philippine government has not introduced a scheme which offers up to 25,000 Philippine pesos cash to returning migrants (en)
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  • A post has been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook in May 2019 which claims the Philippine government has introduced a scheme which offers up to 25,000 Philippine pesos (US$487) in cash to returning migrant workers at the airport. The claim is false; the government agency responsible for Philippine migrant workers overseas denied the scheme exists; government regulations allow returning migrant workers to apply for grants to help with reintegration, but they must present a business plan and the assistance is not provided as cash at the airport. The false post was published here on May 2, 2019, where it has been shared 35,000 times. The post claims that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to the Philippines who plan to return to work abroad can claim 25,000 Philippine pesos ($487) from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at airports in the Philippines, under a plan implemented by President Rodrigo Duterte . The post also claims that returning migrant workers who do not intend to return abroad can claim up to 12,000 Philippine pesos (US$233). The post later states only OFWs returning from the Middle East can claim the money. OWWA is the government agency tasked to develop and oversee welfare programs for OFWs. Below is a screenshot of the false post: Screenshot of Facebook post The lengthy Tagalog language post translates to English in part as: I will just share this I gathered news that will definitely be of help to us especially those who will go home to the Philippines...those who are about to go home and those who plan to go back to their employers will get 25,000 pesos for returning employees for those who will go home and will not go back anymore you will receive 12,000 pesos... if you're already at the airport in the Philippines don't go out look for OWWA get in the queue you will get cash from them that's for sure...someone I know when she went home she did not expect that she will get money at the airport especially to those who will still return to their employers in 2 years you will get 25,000 pesos to those returning employees you will even get additional money depending on the number of years you've worked abroad... do not go out of the airport until you see the OWWA there so you can claim your money... that's big help this was implemented by President Duterte it's already been proven. Also another thing only those from the middle east will get money...thanks and good luck to us OFWs. An almost identical post was also shared here on Facebook. However, OWWA said the scheme does not exist in this Facebook post published on its official page on May 6, 2019. The Tagalog language post translates to English in part as: Fake News: The post on Facebook about OWWA's giving of money at the airport is not true. Owwa doesn't have a program or service like that. To know Owwa programs and services, visit https://www.owwa.gov.ph , contact the OWWAOFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE OR CALL HOTLINE 1348. The agency published an identical statement on its official website here on May 6, 2019. Overseas Filipino workers who lose their jobs or chose to return to the Philippines can apply for a 20,000 peso grant from the OWWA under the agency's reintegration program called Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (Back to the Philippines, Back to Livelihood). But the assistance is not handed out as cash at the airport and applicants must present a business plan before they can receive any financial assistance, according to reports on the scheme. A Philippine nongovernment organization which also works on labour and migrant issues told AFP that no such initiative as mentioned in the misleading post exists. No, OWWA is not giving money at the airport, Susan Ople, founder of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute told AFP in a phone interview on June 26. Whoever posted that may want to give the OFWs hope, but because the information is wrong, it could lead to bigger frustrations. (en)
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