P1.4-B released for OFW cash aid program: DOLE

FILE: Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III during a press conference on Thursday (Sept. 27, 2018), which is held at the DOLE main office in Intramuros, Manila.(PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday reported that it has still funds worth over PHP1 billion for its Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said they have so far spent about PHP1.4 billion out of the PHP2.5 billion budget for the program.

“So we received a total of PHP2.5 billion. So far, we have paid 145,000 OFWs that amounts to about PHP1.4 billion. We still have about PHP1.1 billion,” he said in a Palace briefing.

Bello said with an initial budget of PHP1.5 billion, they estimated to assist 150,000 OFWs.

He, however, said they have received over 450,000 applications from OFWs onsite and those who have returned in the country, prompting them to ask for additional budget.

“But again, look at the allocation it may not be enough. So we are again compelled to ask additional budgetary allocation to be able to process the application of the 450,000,” he added.

Under the program, affected OFWs can get a one-time USD200 (PHP10,000) cash aid.

Filipinos abroad may file their applications for cash assistance at Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in the country where they are employed while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is the one processing applications from OFWs who are in the Philippines.

The AKAP was designed to assist displaced land-based and sea-based workers, returning workers.