Over 8,400 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the temporary travel ban to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao received financial assistance amounting to more than PHP84 million from the government, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported on Monday.
In a statement, the attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that as of 7:38 a.m. Monday, a total of PHP84.48 million were given to 8,448 recipients nationwide.
Though the release of cash assistance has been ordered stopped for workers bound for Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao after the travel ban has been lifted for OFWs, the giving out of financial aid to workers bound for China is still ongoing.
The assistance aims to “help stranded OFWs ease their burden and assist them back to their places of origin” during the travel ban amid the continuous threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The fund was sourced from the OWWA Trust Fund of member-OFWs. The cash assistance was distributed through OWWA regional welfare offices.
Meanwhile, OWWA advised affected Filipino workers to China to visit two venues in Pasay City to claim their cash aid in the amount of PHP10,000 this week.
The distribution venues in the National Capital Region are at the Function Hall of Cuneta Astrodome from March 2 to 4 and Room 310, PESO training room of Pasay City Hall from March 5 to 6.
The distribution of cash assistance started on February 3 for China, Hong Kong and Macao-bound OFWs; and, February 13 for OFWs going to Taiwan.
Travel ban to Taiwan was lifted on February 15. It was last February 19 when OFWs bound for Hong Kong and Macao were given the go-signal to fly to the said territories.
The OWWA instructed its regional offices to cease processing of application for cash assistance of Hong Kong- and Macao-bound OFWs last February 20.
Aside from cash assistance, OWWA regional offices also provided transportation assistance. The OWWA-NCR, the transit point of OFWs coming from other regions, disbursed transport aid to stranded OFWs. (PNA)
