City of San Fernando, La Union—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare 1 (OWWA RWOI) has started releasing cash assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the temporary travel ban in mainland China, Hongkong and Macao due to the Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease or 2019-nCoV ARD outbreak.
The said cash assistance given to the affected OFWs was an immediate response of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to ease and lessen the burden of the would-be departing OFWs after the government has imposed the travel ban.
OFWs in Ilocos Region affected by the travel ban are encouraged to visit the nearest OWWA RWOI Satellite Office in their provinces or at the Regional Office to inquire about the cash relief assistance. OFWs from nearby regions are also welcome at OWWA RWOI for their convenience. All documented OFWs, newly-hired or Balik-Manggawa, affected by the ban are covered by the said special program, regardless of their OWWA membership status.
Applicants are required to bring the following requirements in view of the said benefit: Valid Passport, Airline Ticket and Proof of Employment such as Overseas Employment Certificate and their valid contracts.
OWWA RWOI’s OIC-Director Gerardo C. Rimorin also advised the OFWs to use the PHP10,000 wisely as it is still undermined when the government will lift the ban.
“We hope that through that cash assistance we have given you a sort of relief. Spend the money wisely, use it for emergency purposes if possible”, he said.
On the other hand, OWWA RWOI is encouraging everyone in the region to take precautionary measures and do not panic due to the 2019-nCoV outbreak. To date, the Department of Health Region 1 ensures that Ilocos Region remains to be nCov-free. (OWWA)