THE president of an Abra OFW group based in Hongkong lamented the tedious process asked of them for ayuda they are supposed to receive for their families hit by the Abra earthquake.  

“Sunod-sunod na reklamo ang aming natatanggap sapagkat marami sa mga OFWs na kasalukuyang nasa Hong Kong ngayon ay wala sa listahang inilabas. Inilinaw ng OWWA na mga active members lamang ang makakatanggap ng PhP 3k na ayuda,” said Abra Tingguian Ilocano Society- Hong Kong President Ludy Guinaban. 

“Paano naman ang mga active na wala sa listahan? Paano din ang mga OFW na inactive member na kaparehong sinalanta din ng lindol?” Guinaban asked. 

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople today said the DMW is allocating a P20-million support and assistance fund for families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Northern Luzon.

“This is just an initial allotment to help OFW families affected by the earthquake. I have directed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to immediately provide help and find out what other forms of assistance the DMW can provide,” Ople said.

“We will wait for the damage assessment report made by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to determine which regions and areas are most affected so we can prioritize OFW families there,” Ople added.

The DMW Secretary also said she is in discussion with the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or PAG-IBIG Fund to facilitate emergency loan applications for OFW families affected by the earthquake.

The Secretary said affected families applying for DMW financial assistance can file their applications with the nearest OWWA office in their regions.

They only need to show proof that at least one member of the family is an OFW currently deployed overseas, she said.

Once verified, the applications shall be endorsed for financial assistance. The one-time allocation can be used for food, medicines, groceries, water, or any items the OFW family needs immediately.

Guinaban said that the requirements are hard to meet. 

“Simula kahapon ay pumila ang aming mga pamilya sa munisipyo upang makakuha ng ayuda. Dito namin napag-alaman na hindi madali ang pagkuha ng ayuda.  Una, kailangan naming magpadala ng authorization letter  at photocopy ng aming pasaporte na mayroong signature,” he said. 

“Kakailanganin pang magpa-print ng requirements ng aming mga pamilya. Kailangan pa ba talaga magpa-picture ng 2×2 ng tatanggap ng ayuda? Kahapon ay PhP10 ang bayad sa printing, ngayon ay tumaas na ito sa PhP15 ayon sa balitang aming natanggap. Dagdag pa rito, kailangan din magpakita ng proof of relationship ng aming mga pamilya tulad ng birth certificate ng OFW at ng anak , asawa o magulang.  Magbabayad pa kami sa PSA para makakuha nito.  At panghuli ay government valid ID ng tatanggap ng ayuda.  Sa pagsusumikap ng aming pamilya na makakuha ng ayuda, napag-alaman namin na pahirapan din ang pagkuha ng barangay clearance at police clearance. Mukhang kukulangin pa ang matatanggap naming ayuda sa dami ng requirements!”