DOLE, OWWA give P10K aid to OFWs affected by COVID-19

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment, in partnership with the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration, is set to provide financial assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers affected by COVID – 19.

OWWA – Cordillera regional director Manuela Peña, during the Cordillera Regional Inter – Agency Task Group COVID – 19 online media briefing, said under the Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP), P10, 000 financial support is given per OFW displaced from work due to COVID – 19 and repatriated or vacationing OFWs affected by the crisis and have returned to the Philippines on Feb. 3, 2020 onwards.

Peña reported that from April 13 to 17, there are   837 applications received from Cordillera OFWs with 47 already approved while others are under evaluation and processing. Payment for the financial assistance is done through money remittance services.

The AKAP can be accessed and OFWs can apply online via www.dole-akap.owwa.gov.ph, she added.

Documentary requirements to pre – qualify are valid passport or travel document with pages indicating personal data with photo and latest arrival in the country.

For repatriated OFWs or balik – mangagagawa, they need the copy of flight ticket or boarding pass as evidence of their return or arrival stamp on the passport or sticker attached in the passport; proof of overseas employment, and proof of loss or termination of employment on account of COVID – 19.

For qualified undocumented worker, they need a proof the OFW or the employer has undertaken the necessary documentation process to regularize employment in the host country.

Peña also clarified that OFWs whose date of return in the country is earlier than the prescribed February 3 date are not qualified, as well as those who have already availed of the P10,000 special assistance that OWWA previously awarded to stranded OWWA – member OFWs who  were affected by recent travel ban that the country issued.

As of April 16, OWWA – CAR has provided P10, 000 financial assistance to 454 stranded OFWs due to the previous issuance of COVID – related travel ban to Macau, China, Hongkong and Taiwan. -- PIA CAR