OWWA to help bring home OFW's body from S. Korea


ABS-CBNnews.com


No financial benefits for relatives
MANILA, Philippines -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has promised to help bring home the body of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was killed in a freak accident in Seoul, South Korea.
Sonny Mansalapus, 44, was killed when the elevator he was on suddenly fell when its cable snapped on November 12.
He was an employee for a thread and fabric company based in Seoul. He is the fourth among 10 siblings, and is the family’s breadwinner.

In an interview with radio dzMM on Friday, OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said they will help in bringing the remains of Mansalapus to Manila.

She said they will then bring his body to his relatives in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
"Kung i-uwi na 'yung remains, we will assist hanggang makarating sa kanyang probinsya. 'Di po natin pababayaan 'yun," she said.

However, Dimzon said that no financial benefits will be given to the relatives of the OFW, who has worked in Korea for 9 years.

She said that after Mansalapus' one-year membership in OWWA ended, he did not register again and became a an illegal migrant worker in South Korea.

"Unfortunately, 'di kasi siya member (ng OWWA), nag-expire 'yung membership niya nung 2004. Kung financial benefits po, wala po tayong maibibigay kasi 'di po natin pwedeng gamitin 'yung pondo ng ibang members."

"Some other forms of assistance po makakapagbigay tayo katulad ng repatriation from Seoul to Manila to Mindoro. Kahit 'di siya documented, we'll find a way to bring his remains to his province," she added.

Dimzon said they are just waiting for the final report of police before the remains of Mansalapus can be brought to the country.

She also said that they are also looking at the company's liability for the accident since the OFW was killed while inside the workplace.

"Under their laws, meron naman silang health and safety regulations. I'm sure mananagot 'yung kumpanya sa Korean government at maco-compensate naman si Sonny," she said.

The OFW's niece, Efralyn Ganio, earlier told dzMM that she learned from her uncle’s colleague that the company where they work allegedly operates illegally in South Korea.

“Ang sabi po ng kasamahan niya ay luma (elevator) na daw po talaga yun. Ang sabi po ng kaibigan niya illegal din daw po yung kumpanya sa Korea,” she said.

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