DFA, VP Noli reiterate deployment ban to Afghanistan, Iraq

Manila (23 July) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Vice President and presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)s Noli De Castro are urging again Filipinos who wish to work abroad to avoid countries with work deployment ban, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

This, after 10 Filipinos were among the 16 who died in a helicopter crash in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

In a radio interview, VP De Castro called on the Filipino people saying, “sana sa mga nakikinig na naghahanap ng ikabubuhay sa ibang bansa, huwag niyong patulan ang Afghanistan.”

He explained that the main reason why the DFA is implementing the deployment ban is to keep OFWs from harm’s way. “Kapit sa patalim pero manganganib naman ang inyong buhay.”

De castro explained that Filipinos are forced to work in Afghanistan because of huge compensation offer. “Malaki kasi ang alok, gaya nitong isa – $1,300 ang suweldo bilang karpentero. Marami talaga ang trabaho doon kasi may ginagawang dalawang base military.”

The Vice President assured the public that assistance is being extended to the 10 OFWs who got involved in the helicopter accident earlier. “Tulungan natin itong mga biktima – legal o illegal man ang kanilang dokumento – kasi mga Filipino din ang mga ito. Hahabulin din natin ang kanilang mga employers para maibigay ang kanilang mga benepisyo.”

VP Noli also revealed that OWWA is also looking at possible benefits which can be extended to the victims. (PIA)
photo credit: Kakashi_Sensei [Carlo]