July 29 ------ DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople has ordered a P20 million support and assistance fund for families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were directly affected by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit northern Luzon.
Ople said that she directed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to immediately provide help and find out what other forms of assistance the DMW can provide. "This is just an initial allotment to help OFW families affected by the earthquake," she said. Ople said her department will wait for the damage assessment report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to determine which regions and areas are most affected so the DMW can prioritize OFW families there. She is currently in discussion with the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund to facilitate emergency loan applications of OFW families affected by the earthquake.
Ople said affected families applying for financial assistance can file their applications with the nearest OWWA office in their regions. They only need to show proof that at least one member of the family is an OFW currently deployed overseas, she said. Once verified, the applications shall be endorsed for financial assistance. The one-time allocation can be used for food, medicines, groceries, water, or any items the OFW families need immediately.
Source: manilatimes.net
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