Dead OFW’s family gets OWWA help, P120-K cash

By Floribel Sales

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The family of Sernadilla Guico who worked as a driver in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and died there was given cash assistance and benefits by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Cordillera.

Guico, native of this town, worked in KSA for six years but was repatriated May last year due to kidney problem that eventually caused his death Dec. 26, 2016.

Through its Ifugao welfare office, OWWA awarded the amount of P120, 000 to the bereaved family recently.

Being an active member status at time of his death, Guico’s beneficiaries – his wife and two children, are also entitled to OWWA’s social benefit programs.

Under OWWA’s Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), Guico’s youngest daughter, Rechellen, a Grade 8 student, qualifies as a scholar that entitles her P8, 000 annual  educational financial assistance.

When Rechellen finishes high school, the ELAP financial assistance will be increased to P10, 000 per year when she enters college.

For ELAP’s livelihood component, Guico’s wife Glenda, upon completion of documentary requirements, is entitled to P15, 000 assistance which she can use as additional capital for  the family’s rice farm.

The ELAP is a social benefit program for legal heirs or beneficiaries of OFWs with active OWWA membership to provide surviving family with education and livelihood assistance, in case of death of the overseas worker.