DOLE delivers aid to kin of slain OFW

PAYING RESPECT. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III visits the wake on Friday afternoon of slain domestic helper Jeanelyn Villavende in Purok Guimbal, Barangay Tinago in Norala town, South Cotabato province. Bello, accompanied by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Hans Leo Cacdac and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Labor Minister Romeo Sema, delivered financial assistance worth nearly P1 million to the victim’s family. (PNA photo by Allen V. Estabillo)

NORALA, South Cotabato — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) delivered nearly PHP1 million in financial assistance on Friday to the family of Jeanelyn Villavende, a domestic helper from this town who was killed by her employer in Kuwait late last month.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III personally handed over at least five checks from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and an insurance company to the 26-year-old victim’s father Abelardo during a visit at her wake in Purok Guimbal, Barangay Tinago here.

OWWA released PHP200,000 for Jeanelyn’s social benefits, PHP20,000 for burial assistance, PHP10,000 as financial assistance and PHP5,000 scholarship assistance for the victim’s 11-year-old sister Akina Marie.

Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corp., represented by its General Santos City branch manager Jefferson Lee, released through Bello the insurance benefit of Jeanelyn worth USD15,000 or equivalent to PHP762,000.

Bello said the insurance policy was a mandatory requirement from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the OWWA membership.

“We know that the money will not bring back the life of Jeanelyn but it will somehow help her family. It is important that she will be given justice as ordered by President (Rodrigo) Duterte,” he said in a press conference.

Hans Leo Cacdac, OWWA administrator, said they will continue to look after the victim’s family and make sure that all the necessary assistance will be given to them.

He reiterated that the government will support the Villavende family on their quest for justice over Jeanelyn’s untimely and tragic death.

“We’re here to ensure that her loved ones are properly taken care of,” said Cacdac, who visited the victim’s family for the second time since last week.

Kristine Marie Sison, officer-in-charge of OWWA-Region 12, told Philippine News Agency that Jeanelyn’s recruiter, 5 Star Recruitment and Manpower Corp., already released initial financial assistance to the family last week.

She said they are working with the recruitment agency for the payment of the victim’s funeral services and burial package worth PHP220,000.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 12 released late last week’s financial assistance of PHP10,000 and five boxes of family food packs to the Villavende family.

On Friday, Deputy House Speaker for Mindanao and South Cotabato second district Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez handed over to the family cash assistance of PHP41,000 from the Association of Job Recruitment Agencies and an undisclosed personal donation.

Nelly Padernal, aunt and stepmother of Jeanelyn, thanked the government for taking care of their family in the wake of their predicament.

“This is a really huge help to us. It makes our burden less difficult to carry,” she said.

Jeanelyn’s remains arrived here on Thursday, a day after her repatriation from Kuwait through the efforts of DOLE and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

She will be laid to rest at the municipal cemetery on January 23.