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OWWA GRANTS MONETARY ASSISTANCE TO OFW MEMBERS FROM LIBYA


 OFWs repatriated from Libya (after the government raised Alert Level 4 Status equivalent to Mandatory Repatriation) are eligible to avail of a one-time financial assistance from the Agency.  Status Alert Level 4 started in 20 July 2014.


The assistance was approved by the OWWA Board of Trustees through Board Resolution No. 7, Series of 2014, authorizing the grant of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) Financial Relief Assistance Program (FRAP)  to OFWs  displaced by the Libya Crisis. The Board is chaired by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and is comprised of representatives from the government, labor and management sectors.

The Resolution also provides that FRAP amounts released to non-OWWA members shall be reimbursed from the DOLE Emergency Repatriation Fund, subject to existing accounting rules and regulations.

The cash relief assistance,” according to Secretary Baldoz,” is in consonance with the OWWA’s commitment to promote the welfare and well-being of OFWs, especially when assistance is needed most,” she said.

DOLE Secretary Baldoz added that the one- time 10K Financial Relief Assistance is in line with the Department’s package of reintegration assistance under the Assist WELL Program of the government.  Assist WELL stands for Welfare, Employment, Livelihood and Legal Assistance, participated by OWWA, POEA, NRCO, and the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns.  The thrust of Assist WELL is to address the issues and concerns of OFWs  repatriated due to crises or emergency situations and to ensure that there will be life after overseas employment.   

“The financial assistance aims to provide an immediate relief to both our members and non-members who were displaced from their jobs due to the political conflict in Libya,” said OWWA Chief Rebecca J. Calzado.

“Under the circumstances,  ang  responsibilidad po ng ating  gobyerno ay isaalang-alang  ang  kaligtasan ng ating  mga  OFWs lalu na kung ang buhay nila  ay  nasa bingit ng kapahamakan. Ayaw po natin na may mangyari na masama sa kanila. Bukod dito, iniisip din po natin ang kanilang pamilya na naiwan nila dito”, Administrator Calzado continued.  

In addition, the Board Resolution prescribes that affected OFWs may avail of the training assistance on employment and investment opportunities designed to equip them with information on various alternative sources of income.

The 10K Financial Relief Assistance shall be released to qualified claimants through the OWWA Regional Offices.

As of the morning of 07 August 2014, a total of 935 OFWs were extended assistance by the OWWA Repatriation Team. The figure represents the actual returnees who were given airport and other assistance by the Agency upon arrival at the airport.

Repatriates who have no relatives to meet them at the NAIA are offered temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home and assisted with their transportation needs for their onward travel to their respective provinces while the OWWA Counseling Team is on the side to conduct stress debriefing.

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