August 15 ------ For years, distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have to deal with financial challenges once they arrive in the country—despite the mandatory assistance coming from the national government. Apparently realizing that the government’s financial assistance is minimal, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has approved the grant of higher assistance from its Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund. Previously, the financial assistance was only P30,000, except to those OFWs who died and repatriated from war-torn countries, and ships that were attacked by rebels or affected by any conflict.
In a Department Order released by the DMW to the media on Wednesday, Aug. 14, it stated that OFWs severely affected or displaced due to economic downturn of their host country will now receive P50,000 one-time assistance. The same amount applies for OFWs who are victims of abuses, exploitation, maltreatment, contract violations, illegal recruitment and human trafficking and natural calamities in host countries. The same amount will be given to the family of OFWs who are detained and serving their sentence abroad.
The Department Order also provides P75,000 one-time assistance for OFWs with serious illness, injury or mental health condition and those who experience abuse/exploitation resulting in physical disability, injuries, or mental health condition. The financial assistance also covers OFWs displaced due to war, political unrest and/or other extraordinary circumstances; and, the next of kin of OFWs in death row.
A total of P100,000 one-time assistance, on the other hand, will be given to the next of kin of OFWs who passed away in the host country due to natural or accidental causes, and those who passed away within one year from arrival in the Philippines. “The mode of payment of the financial assistance shall be in various forms, such as onsite through the MWO (Migrant Workers Office), at the airport upon arrival of the OFWs, at the DMW Central Office and its Regional Offices, through bank transfer, cash, money remittance or any other cost-effective mode that can be utilized, subject to existing banking rules and regulations,” the Order read. Bank charges, remittance costs and other related administrative expenses shall be charged against the AKSYON Fund,” it added.
Source: mb.com.ph
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