Cacdac: Repatriation budget ‘underutilized’
Cacdac brushed aside the budget as an issue, adding that the mobilization of resources was one of their main focuses
Daily TribuneCacdac brushed aside the budget as an issue, adding that the mobilization of resources was one of their main focuses
Department of Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac yesterday said there's enough of the "Aksyon Fund" to assist Filipino repatriates displaced from their jobs by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He made the assurance during the arrival of the 12th batch of repatriates from the troubled area on Monday, saying that there's even an "underutilization" of the action fund.
"We have spent P600 million under the Aksyon Fund. There is an underutilization because we started spending [only] in April due to administrative constraints. But we will do better next year," Cacdac said in a press briefing.
Cacdac brushed aside the budget as an issue, adding that the mobilization of resources was one of their main focuses.
However, the Commission on Audit has urged government agencies engaged in repatriating and assisting OFWs returning from conflict areas to be judicious and transparent in their fund utilization.
"We join forces with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and other government agencies. We have more than enough in our funds," Cacdac said. "The budget is not an issue at all."
"It is really a matter of mobilizing the resources to reach the right beneficiaries at the right time," he added.
A total of 27 OFWs — 25 caregivers and two hotel workers — returned from Israel Monday, arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 3:15 p.m.
Cacdac confirmed the total number of repatriates from Israel stood at 362, while 61 OFWs had been repatriated from Lebanon.
The OIC also reported that the body of a slain Filipino in Israel, Paul Castelvi, will arrive before Christmas.