OWWA working for return of remains of OFWs killed in Macau fire

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Monday said the agency was now coordinating with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Macau, China for the repatriation of the remains of the two Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who perished from a fire last week.
 
“The Agency is now coordinating with POLO in Macau for the arrangement of the return of the bodies of the Filipino migrant workers,” the OWWA said in a press statement.
 
The two OFWs were identified as Paul Angelo Lita, a waiter, and Marites Natino, a household service worker. Both victims hailed from Villasis, Pangasinan. They were among the four casualties in a fire that razed a boardinghouse in Macau on Wednesday.
 
The OWWA said that upon verification with its Membership Processing Center (MPC), one of the two victims was an active member at the time of the incident while the other victim had no record with the agency.
 
Acording to OWWA administrator Rebecca Calzado, active OWWA members who died due to an accident would receive death and burial benefits worth P220,000.
 
Calzado said the families of deceased OWWA members were also eligible to avail of OWWA's Education and Livelihood Assistance Program or ELAP which includes a livelihood assistance worth P15,000 and educational assistance from elementary to college for a qualified dependent.
 
The OWWA, however, assured families of both OFWs that they would be assisted in the repatriation of their remains.
 
“Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz immediately directed OWWA Chief Rebecca J. Calzado  to extend full assistance to the families of the late OFW victims upon arrival at the airport,  and facilitate  the benefits  due to the families of the OWWA members,” the OWWA said. —Elizabeth Marcelo/NB, GMA News

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