OWWA: P235-K for kin of OFW dead in NPA clash

By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will give cash assistance to the family of an Overseas Filipino Worker who died during an encounter between government authorities and the New People’s Army rebels in Barangay Suagayan, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur on August 8.

OWWA Region 1 Director Gerardo Rimorin said here the bereaved family of the late OFW Diosdado G. Valdez Jr. of Barangay Parioc, Candon City, Ilocos Sur will receive P220,000.00 accidental death benefit and burial assistance; P15,000.00 livelihood assistance; and one-time educational assistance for his daughter until she graduates in college.

According to Rimorin, all active OWWA-registered OFWs, who died due to an accident, have insurance benefits from their agency.

 “In case the dead OFW is single, his/her bereaved family will receive the accidental death and burial benefits and livelihood assistance; and one-time scholarship or educational assistance program for one of his/her qualified dependents,” Rimorin added.

To facilitate processing of claims of the family of the late OFW Diosdado Valdez, OWWA Region 1’s migrant officer Judy W. Liao visited recently the bereaved family and consoled them and further discussed with them the requirements to facilitate the assistance from their agency.

Liao advised the late OFW’s wife, Norijean Valdez, to visit the OWWA’s satellite office in Candon City once documentary requirements are complete.

Valdez expressed her gratitude to concerned government agencies for their support and assistance especially that her daughter will receive a scholarship grant for her college education.

She said all the assistance were of great help to her family as she was not employed at present.

Valdez narrated that her husband, Diosdado - a seaman, arrived at their residence for a vacation in January 2020 and was set to board in March 2020 but suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While waiting for his schedule to board his ship, Diosdado helped in the vegetable business of his parents to have additional income for his family.

But on August 8 at about 2 p.m., Diosdado went to the farm in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur to talk to his aunt requesting her to segregate the eggplant he was going to deliver.

During their conversation, they heard successive gunfire.

They both ran and hid for safety.

However, thinking that it was already safe to go out when the gunfire ceased, Diosdado went out and rode on his motorcycle.

He was accidentally hit in another volley of crossfire that caused his death.

After the encounter, the army’s 7th Infantry Division and the member-agencies of the Provincial Task Force on Ending the Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) extended assistance to the bereaved family. -- PIA 1