REGIONAL SITUATION REPORT ON MIGRANTS July to December 2020 I. Regional Human Rights Situationer In Region 1, due to the implementation of community quarantines and travel bans, many OFWs and Seafarers bound to leave the country were not allowed due to the pandemic. With this situation, efforts of the Regional Line Agencies such as Department of Labor Relations and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration among others are still in effect. The services extended to these migrant workers include DOLE AKAP and OFW Tulong sa Pag-unlad. The newest program launched by the Department of Science and Technology is called iFWDPH. It is geared to assist displaced migrant workers or their family to venture on small businesses to create alternative source of income. This program will assist and capacitate OFW and their family to engage into business, by providing capacity building activities and needed funding. However as the year ends, some OFW opted to pursue their employment as the travel was lifted if they will execute an affidavit stating among others, their compliance to prevailing health protocols in our country and the country of destination. II. Regional Human Rights Issues/Concern In the region, it is a fact that we are suffering from COVID-19 pandemic however there are other instances that reason for being repatriated was due to illegal termination. For some OFWs, Balik Manggagawa or new, despite the existence of this pandemic, they opt to pursue their employment abroad. For the CHR Region 1 office, for the period of July to December 2020 there are four OFWs (Balik Manggagawa) and one family of OFW that were assisted. The issues raised by these OFW are the following: a. Execution of Affidavit of Undertaking required before being deployed to the country of destination; b. Assistance during her hearing on the illegal dismissal; c. Execution of explanation to avail of herself the Financial Assistance Program of OWWA; and d. Repatriation of the remains of her husband. III. Assessment, Findings and Conclusions Some OFW and their families are availing of the services of CHR-RO1 for various purposes. Starting from child support, labor cases and other legal issues they may encounter. The office on the other hand was able to provide referral, legal advice and other legal services. Ground Floor Ed Fabro Bldg. Pagdalagan, San Fernando City, La Union Telefax No. (072) 607-8706 Email Add: chr1sflu@yahoo.com

Select target paragraph3