OWWA gives funds to Bin Laden Group, displaced Saudi OFWs

By Floribel Sales

BAGUIO CITY -- The Overseas Workers and Welfare Office has activated its Relief Assistance Program (RAP) to provide financial aid to displaced overseas contract workers of oil companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including those who worked for Bin Laden Group of Companies.

As of August 9, the OWWA Cordillera regional office released P122, 000 to 17 OFW dependents and one OFW returnee.

The OWWA’s RAP is a crisis intervention program that involves provision of financial assistance that aims to help the OFWs and their families cope with economic and social adjustments.

 Under the program, OFWs, whether still in the jobsite or already repatriated,   are entitled to P20, 000 financial assistance each while families of those stranded in the jobsite are entitled to P6, 000 assistance.

Recent beneficiary of the program was Editha Carolino of Taloy Sur, Tuba Benguet, who received  check of P6, 000 from OWWA Cordillera. Editha is the wife of Reynaldo Carolino who worked at Saudi Oger Limited and still stranded at his jobsite.

Affected Saudi Arabia OFWs are entitled to OWWA’s RAP including   those who worked at Saudi Bin Laden Group of Companies, Saudi Oger Ltd., Mohammed Al-Mojil Group, Mohammed Hameed Al-Bargash & Bros. Trading and Construction Co.,ALUMCO L.LC, Rajeh H. Al Merri Costructing and Trading Company, Fawzi Salah – Al Nairani Constracting Company, Arabtech Construction L.L.C or Real Estate Development and Investment Company.

Requirements for affected OFWs still at jobsite include accomplished application form and proof of identity and for repatriated OFWs, accomplished application form, passport or travel document and proof of unpaid benefits or salaries.

 For families of affected OFWs still at jobsite, requirements are accomplished application form, proof of relationship to OFW and valid government issued identification card with photo.

 For more information about the relief assistance program,  visit the OWWA Cordillera regional office located at Private Road, Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City or call  (074) 445 -2260 or 300 - 3658.