Cash aid still available for China-bound OFWs

FILE: Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac and OWWA officers welcome distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from Kuwait through Philippine Airlines (PR) 669 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Monday morning. (Feb. 12, 2018). (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA — Migrant workers affected by the country’s continuing travel ban to China are still eligible for the PHP10,000 cash assistance from the government, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced Thursday.

“However, the giving of cash assurance for China-bound OFWs shall continue until further announcements,” the agency in a statement.

Meanwhile, OWWA said it will cease from releasing the financial aid to OFWs bound for Hong Kong and Macao.

“Beginning today, February 20, 2020, the OWWA cash assistance extended to OFWs bound for Hong Kong and Macao shall no longer be available in view of the recent lifting of the travel ban in the said countries. All Regional Welfare Offices were instructed to cease the processing of applications of financial assistance for OFWs bound for Hong Kong and Macao,” OWWA added.

On Wednesday, OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac reported that PHP80.6 million worth of cash assistance was provided to OFWs affected by the travel ban due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat.

He added that they also stopped providing PHP10,000 cash assistance to OFWs affected by the travel ban to Taiwan which was lifted on February 14.

The government lifted the travel ban for OFWs to Macao and Hong Kong on Tuesday.