ZAMBOANGA CITY - The
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office No. 9, in cooperation with the
Crisis Management Committee (CMC) has established a One-Stop Processing Center
(OSPC) for Sabah Displaced Persons (DPs)
in Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi on April 4, 2013.
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| Photo by: Mary Jane R. Amarado |
Labor Communications Officer Mary Jane R.
Amarado in a press statement said the Regional CMC under ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman acted upon the request
letter of DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman to DOLE Secretary Rosalinda
Dimapilis-Baldoz for the creation of the center.
The CMC assessed the possible influx of
returning undocumented Filipinos in Taganak, Turtle Islands being the closest
municipality to Sabah and reachable by speedboat in just one hour.
Ms. Amarado said within a period of one
month, a total of 990 DPs were recorded by CMC since March 9 to March 29.
Filipino evacuees fleeing Sabah arrived in Poblacion Taganak, Turtle Islands,
Tawi-Tawi on board M/L Fatima Sherin.
Hassan T. Jumdain, OWWA9 Regional Director and
head of the OSPC Special Operations—Sulu & Tawi-Tawi, together with the
Regional CMC Chair, Assistant Secretary Sharifa Pearlsia A. Dans of the
DILG-ARMM, led the composite team to carry out the special mission to establish
an OSPC in the above-mentioned municipality.
The newly established OSPC is manned by
representatives from DSWD, DOH, OCD, DTI & DOLE-OWWA who immediately cater
to the needs of the DPS and assess them for appropriate interventions.
Amarado said Jumdain, who personally interviewed the DPs disclosed that
the cost per trip ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 Malaysian Ringgit. “There
is no regular transport from Taganak to Bongao, therefore, the DPs accumulate
from over a hundred or more before a navy ship ferries them to Bongao,
Tawi-Tawi.” Jumdain added.
The OSPC will also facilitate the provision
of legal documents for those who wish to return to Sabah while those who opt to
remain in the country will be assisted with livelihood and other social
services.