Gov’t allots over PHP11-M aid for Surigao quake victims

The government has allocated a total of PHP11.5 million as financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are victims of the 6.7 earthquake that hit Surigao Province last February 10. (Photo: PIA Agusan del Norte/ Facebook)

MANILA –The government has allocated a total of PHP11.5 million as financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are victims of the 6.7 earthquake that hit Surigao Province last February 10.

In a statement, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary and Chairman of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Board of Trustees Silvestre Bello III approved the move through Board Resolution No. 006, Series of 2017.

With this, he urged OWWA active members and non-active members affected by the tremor to apply for the financial assistance at the agency’s Regional Welfare Office (RWO) in Caraga.

Active OWWA members are entitled to get PHP3,000.

00 per family while PHP1,500.00 will be given per family of non-active members.

The agency expects to reach around 3,848 individuals in the affected areas in the municipalities of Surigao Province namely Sison, San Francisco, Mainit, Malimono, and Surigao City.

Based on the ocular inspection initiated by the office in the said province, a number of OFW families suffered minor damage to their properties, as well as shortage on food and potable water.

Affected families may apply for the monetary assistance to OWWA Caraga at telephone numbers (085) 342-61-78; (085) 225-5989, or at these email address: owwa_caraga24@yahoo.com, and owwacaraga@gmail.com.