OWWA will provide financial assistance to the families of OFW affected by Ompong

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) has allocated P100 million to provide financial assistance to Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families affected by Typhoon Ompong (international code name Mangkhut).

According to Owwa Administrator Hans J. Cacdac said they are now coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for the implementation of their Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) in typhoon-hit areas.

WAP was launched in 2016 to give financial support to the families of OFWs in case they suffer from disability, medical emergency or calamities.

“Once we have a complete list of the worst-hit areas [from the NDRRMC], we will provide calamity assistance to the OFW families,” Cacdac said.

Since its implementation, Cacdac said WAP has already benefited 250,000 OFW families affected by various calamities, including typhoons Lawin and Nina.

The program always has a P100-million fund, which is regularly replenished by the Owwa Board of Trustees.   Besides cash aid, Cacdac said OFWs whose flights were delayed because of the typhoon  could also ask for help by calling Owwa’s hot line 1348.

For its part, the Department of Labor and Employment will extend its cash-for-work assistance for workers and farmers displaced by Typhoon Ompong.

Typhoon Ompong entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last week and swept through Northern Luzon. As of Sunday morning, authorities reported it killed at least five people and affected over 250,000 others.

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac visited OWWA-Regional Welfare Office 02 and Ilagan City Sub-Office to supervise the process of OWWA Calamity Assistance under Welfare Assistance Program brought about by recent typhoon Ompong.

Administrator Cacdac also made a courtesy meeting to Honorable Secretary Silverstre H. Bello III of Department of Labor and Employment in his residence at City of Ilagan, Isabela.

Check the list of requirements