The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is confident that the remaining balance owed by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to some hotels in Metro Manila will be fully paid next week.

“There’s already partial payment and the commitment of (OWWA) Administrator (Hans Leo) Cacdac is by Tuesday next week it will be fully paid. A total of PHP241 million, half of it already paid. Next week I am confident it will be settled,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a virtual forum Wednesday.

He said they already talked with those who are concerned and explained to them about the delay since the agency would like to ensure that all are accounted for.

“We’ve talked to Tourism Secretary (Berna Romulo) Puyat and to hotel owners association. The reason why there were delays since they are being careful in paying as they are making sure that they are paying the right amount,” Bello added.

He added that discrepancies in the amount to be paid should be settled first because “they have to be very sure that the payments made are supported by necessary documents”.

Hotels and resorts in Metro Manila and some provinces were utilized as isolation centers for returning overseas Filipino workers. (PNA)

Photo Credit: www.owwa.gov.ph