Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has proposed creating a system that would allow the provincial government to quickly identify and assist the families of Cebuano overseas Filipino workers during disasters and other emergencies.
Baricuatro raised the proposal during her visit to the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong on September 21, where the Cebu delegation met with Philippine Consul General Romulo Victor Manzano Israel Jr. and other government officials.
The proposed system would establish a registry or similar mechanism containing information that could help authorities identify and contact Cebuano OFWs and their families when emergencies occur.
Baricuatro said one of the major concerns of OFWs during typhoons, earthquakes, floods and other disasters is the safety of their families back home, particularly when communication lines are disrupted.
Through the proposed mechanism, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office could more quickly identify families that may need welfare checks instead of waiting for individual requests to pass through different channels.
The system could also work in reverse. If a Cebuano OFW encounters an emergency overseas, authorities could use the available information to contact the worker’s family in Cebu and coordinate assistance.
Officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration expressed support for exploring the proposal. However, the provincial government and concerned agencies still need to determine how the system will operate, including safeguards for personal information and compliance with data privacy requirements.
The meeting also discussed stronger coordination among the Cebu Provincial Government, the Philippine Consulate, OWWA and labor officials in assisting Cebuano workers who are repatriated from overseas.
Baricuatro proposed that returning workers be promptly referred to the provincial government so they can be connected with available employment, livelihood programs and other forms of assistance.
Beyond OFW concerns, the Cebu delegation and Philippine officials also discussed tourism promotion between Cebu and Hong Kong and possible economic opportunities for the province.
The proposed OFW family registry remains under discussion, but officials say a workable system could help shorten the time needed to locate and check on families when disasters disrupt normal communication channels.
