SAN FERNANDO CITY, Nov. 8 (PIA) – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) disbursed some Php106,000,000.00 fund for beneficiaries of the “DOLE-AKAP for OFWs” in the Ilocos Region.
AKAP or the “Abot-Kamay ang Pagtulong” Program, which was launched in April, aims to provide Php10,000.00 worth of one-time financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose employment were affected by the pandemic.
As of November 3, 2020, there are 10,697 recipients of the program.
According to Geraldine Lucero, labor communication officer, “Napakarami na ng ating benepisyaryo sa ilalim ng programa. Dahil kung kumpleto naman po ang dokumento nila at good for approval ay hindi na po namin pinatatagal pa ang proseso. Lalo at alam nating higit na kailangan nila ngayon itong cash assistance.”
Upon approval, notice of confirmation will be received through a text message.
Lucero said that since they are fast-tracking the process, they can no longer call the applicants one by one.
“Kung text lang po ang natanggap ninyo imbes na tawag ay huwag kayong mag-alala dahil ginagawa po talaga namin yan. As long as may reference number ay totoo po yan. Hindi na po kasi natin natatawagan isa-isa to fast-track the distribution,” she explained.
Clients may verify the mobile numbers used or the name of the coordinator who texted them by checking and calling the hotlines posted in their official Facebook Page: OWWA Regional Welfare Office 1.
Once verified, the beneficiaries may claim their cash grants through remittance centers or money transfers.
“Mas convenient ngayon ang pay out dahil hindi na nila kailangan pang pumunta sa ating tanggapan para kumuha ng tseke saka dadalhin pa uli sa bangko para magpa-encash,” Lucero said.
There are 13,000 more applications for the region that are still on the process of evaluation.
Interested OFWs may apply online through https://ift.tt/3eKC140.
Meanwhile, OWWA invites both active and inactive members to apply for the “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapabuhay” Program which gives Php20,000.00 worth of livelihood grant to enable repatriated OFWs and their families to start their own business.
“’Yong maximum of Php20,000.00 na pwede nilang makuhang puhunan ay mairorolyo nilang capital kung saan maaari na silang makapagsimula muli,” she added.
Seminars and trainings on business planning will also be provided for the beneficiaries upon approval of their applications.
“Para magabayan natin ‘yong OFWs sa tamang pamamaraan ng pagnenegosyo. At hindi naman natin gusto na mapunta lang sa wala ‘yong ibibigay natin sa kanilang panimula,” she said. (JCR/AMB/CGRC/PIA La Union)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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