ILOILO City – A total of 104,100 Western Visayan overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) – land- and sea-based – have returned home since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
“Ini sila ang nagsakay sa aton sweeper flights,” said Director Rizza Joy Moldes of OWWA Region 6. “Sila ‘ni ang nag-avail sang aton transportation, food and accommodation services.”
Iloilo province had the highest number of repatriated OFWs at 37,120 followed by Negros Occidental (19,483), Iloilo City (10,279), Bacolod City (10,242), Capiz (9,839), Antique (7,350), Aklan (6,650), and Guimaras (3,142).
They were either distressed, displaced, vacationing, or have ended their job contracts, said Moldes .
OWWA-6 also assisted 19 OFWs who transited Western Visayas before going to their respective regions.
LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE
OWWA-6 extended assistance to distressed or displaced OFWs, those who were terminated by their employers, maltreated, had contract violations, or those affected by conflict in their host countries.
“Ang aton programs don’t just simply end upon their return sa ila panimalay,” Moldes said.
These distressed OFWs could avail themselves of the “Balik Pinas Balik Hanap Buhay” livelihood program, said Moldes.
Between January and July this year, 711 OFWs in Western Visayas each received P20,000 cash assistance under the program.
For concerned OFWs to avail themselves of the benefits under the program, Moldes said they must coordinate with OWWA.
“Kinahanglan magbisita sa aton office to secure application forms and then we will interview them kon ano ang nature sang ila displacement or pagiging distressed, if they are indeed qualified to the program,” added Moldes.
OWWA has also released P1.8 million to the relatives of 15 OFWs who died of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) between January and July this year.
OFWs infected by COVID-19 can also avail themselves of the illness assistance.
“Under sa illness assistance or welfare assistance program, we have released P325,000 to 20 beneficiaries in Western Visayas. These are OFWs who experienced mild to severe symptoms because of COVID-19,” Moldes said.
Moreover, the regional director said the families of the OFWs can also avail themselves of the “Project Alalay para sa mga Anak-OFWs sa Panahon ng Pandemya” program.
The P20,000 assistance can be utilized as tuition fees or book allowance of these children, Moldes said.
Under the “Sa Pinas Ikaw Ang Ma’am and Sir” program, meanwhile, teachers displaced abroad were given the opportunity to apply for plantilla positions in government or public schools.
“We are encouraging our OFWs to visit our office para ma-interview kag mabal-an naton kon ano ang nagakaigu nga programa nga puede nila ma-avail ukon sang ila family members,” said Moldes./PN
