Families of OFWs hit by Yolanda get aid

CEBU, Philippines - Overseas Filipino Workers’ families in Northern Cebu affected by super typhoon Yolanda will be provided with cash assistance by government through the Work Assistance Program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon signed a memorandum of agreement with the Province of Cebu yesterday for the implementation of the program.

The local government units covered by the program include Bogo City and the municipalities of Daanbantayan, Bantayan, Medellin, Madridejos, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Borbon, Tuburan, Tabuelan, Poro, San Remigio, Pilar, Sogod, Tabogon and Tudela.

Governor Hilario Davide III was represented by Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino while OWWA-7 Regional Director Wilfreda Misterio and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale signed the agreement as witnesses.

CWAP provides temporary employment for a minimum of 15 days and a maximum of 30 days to active OWWA OFW-members or their families.

For the 15-day work, a worker will get P5,055 for P327 per day plus an insurance premium of P100.

Qualified beneficiaries include the spouse or the child (of legal age) of a married OFW and parent or sibling (of legal age) of the OFW. It is required that the OFW concerned is an active member of OWWA as of November 8, 2013, the day the typhoon hit the area.

OWWA has P50 million funds for the areas hit by the typhoon and targets around 5,000 OFWs in Cebu.

As of March 7, 2014, the agency received 6,239 applicants from eight LGUs, but only 2,107 were identified to be qualified beneficiaries. The other 117 applicants were found to be unqualified for the program while 4,015 applications are still subject for verification.

Only the towns of Daanbantayan, Pilar, Tabuelan, Tudela, Madridejos, Poro, Bantayan and Sogod have submitted lists of applicants for the program.

The LGU shall identify temporary employment relative to the recovery, rehabilitation, reconstruction or construction projects for the program beneficiaries.  (FREEMAN)