The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has facilitated the repatriation of 56,000 Overseas Filipino Workers in Western Visayas, including 9,600 Negrenses, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from March to Dec. 8, OWWA Region 6 officer-in-charge, Rizza Joy Moldes, said yesterday.
Moldes also said that OWWA released P136 million in financial assistance to 13,000 OFWs in Western Visayas, who received P10,000 each.
OWWA also extended financial assistance to displaced workers through it various programs, in tandem with the Department of Labor and Employment, Moldes said.
Moldes, assisted by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, distributed financial assistance to the families of OFWs who died abroad, and to the beneficiaries of OWWA’s Balik Pinas-Balik Hanapbuhay, during a forum on Migration and Development, and Reintegration for OFWs, held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
The families of OFWs, who either died of COVID-19 complications or of natural causes, are entitled to receive P120,000 in financial assistance, scholarship grants for children and family members, and P15,000 livelihood assistance for the surviving spouse, Moldes said.
When an OFW died due to accident, his or her family will receive P200,000, scholarship grant for the children, and P15,000 livelihood assistance for the surviving spouse, she added.
Under the Balik Pinas-Balik Hanapbuhay program, Moldes said that an OFW may receive financial assistance ranging from P5,000 to P20,000, depending on the business proposal approved by OWWA.
FORUM
The forum on Migration and Development, and Reintegration for OFWs aims to address numerous issues concerning migration and to enhance government interventions.
Lacson said the pandemic worsened the issues and problems on migration, and caused the displacement of thousands of Filipino migrant workers all over the world, while some even died. He stressed the need to create more economic opportunities in the country.
“We shall not waiver in our efforts to boost the positive, and reduce the negative effects of labor migration, and to protect our fellow Negrenses who leave in the hope of finding a better future for their families,” Lacson said.
He added that the effective collaboration between the national government, LGUs, NGOs and other stakeholders is necessary to successfully address the multi-faceted concerns of the Filipino migrant workers.
Lacson received a plaque of recognition from OWWA Region 6 in recognition of the province’s invaluable repatriation and reintegration services to OFWs in Western Visayas at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also received a token from the Federation of OFWs Negros Occidental for his support and assistance.
The Provincial Committee on Migration and Development (PCMD) officers, led by Lacson, also held their pledge of commitment, followed by the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the provincial government, OFW Negros Occ. Federation Inc., and the Center for Migrant Advocacy Philippines Inc. for the establishment of a migrant center at the provincial level to address the need for better migration assistance and governance.
Also present at the activity were Board Members Ryan Gamboa and Andrew Montelibano, Negros Occidental Provincial AdministratorRayfrando Diaz, and executive assistant to the Governor and PCMD secretary, Marie June Castro, and OFWNOFI president Sally Barrios, among others. The activity is themed, “Pamilya sang mga OFW Naga-isa Para sa Katin-aran”. – GB
