Emergency Plan For Taiwan OFWs Urged

By Macon Ramos-Araneta
Sen. Raffy Tulfo on August 8 urged the national government and other concerned agencies to
come up with a contingency plan for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) should the tension
between the Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan escalate.
Tulfo, who is set to lead the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, said the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Philippine Overseas Labor & Office (POLO) and the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should come up with a coordinated plan to ensure the
safety of Filipino workers in Taiwan and other neighboring countries. 
“The tension between China and Taiwan is not something to be taken lightly,” he said.
“This is the perfect time for government agencies to show their united force by working
together for the safety and security of our workers abroad,” he said.
There are reportedly around 200,000 OFWs in Taiwan.
“In my experience of helping OFWs in the past two decades, the government agencies,
oftentimes, were very reactive instead of proactive. “
Based on media reports, China conducted a large-scale military drill in six areas surrounding
Taiwan Strait after the visit of United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on August 2.
The Taiwanese government reported some Chinese fighter jets passed through the median
lines in the strait despite firm statements of condemnation by the United States, Japan, and the
European Union.
“The situation for OFWs in Taiwan is fraught with too much risk and many Filipino workers are
now worried about their future abroad.”
He said the national government should provide enough funding assistance to all Filipino
workers to ensure that they can smoothly re-enter the country once they are evacuated.
Tulfo, who is known for championing the rights of OFWs, is also the main anchor of a long
existing top-rated radio program “Wanted sa Radyo.” 
He said thousands of people flock to his radio show, including present and past OFWs, to seek
his help.