Over 150K OFWs so far get P10-K cash aid from DOLE

FILE: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) heading to their hometowns after completing mandatory quarantine queue at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 during a send-off on Tuesday (May 26, 2020) (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – More than 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have benefitted from the cash assistance under the Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“PHP1.6 billion paid to 155,230 OFWs under AKAP program, as of June 15, 2020,” the DOLE said in a report posted on the Facebook page of the Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) on Tuesday.

Under the program, one-time cash assistance of USD200 (PHP10,000) is given to Filipino workers abroad and those stranded in the country due to the community quarantine to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Here is the latest update on the Affordable Helping (AKAP) cash aid program of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), where USD200 or PHP10,000 is given to more than 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” it added.

Earlier, the DOLE reported that it has received 508,527 applications from onsite and repatriated OFWs, both land- and sea-based, as of June 14.

Meanwhile, it also reported that over 50,000 OFWs have been transported back to their provinces region from May 15 to June 14, 2020

Under the OFW Return Program, repatriated Filipinos will be transported back to their home via air, land, and sea.