The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office IX (OWWA-RWO IX) together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assisted 179 deportees from Sabah, Malaysia as they arrive in Zamboanga City recently.

The deportees were brought to the DSWD Holding Area located at Barangay Talon-Talon for interview and debriefing session. As an agency that promotes and protects the welfare of the workers abroad, the OWWA-RWO IX, through its Family Welfare Officer (FWO) and Staff, conducted an orientation with the deportees on how the agency's One-Stop Processing Center (OSPC) can be of help to them.

OWWA-RWO IX Regional Director Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain emphasized the importance of going through a legal process in working outside the country.

FWO Ladjakaya S. Abubakar conducted the orientation among the deportees regarding the programs and services of OWWA. The former also discussed about legal matters including how to acquire passport and other travel documents, where and whom to approach regarding specific concerns, proper processes in working abroad, and illegal trafficking.

As per report, 40 among the 179 deportees were victims of Human Trafficking.

Regional Director Jumdain calls for the attention of all OFWs or overseas employment applicants to visit the OWWA RWO IX and POEA office for the proper orientation and awareness to avoid such incident.

Reported by Fung Kay Choi, OWWA RWO IX