OWWA gives P9M to Yolanda victims

CEBU, Philippines - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has shelled out over P9 million assistance for the families of overseas Filipino workers affected by typhoon Yolanda in northern Cebu.

OWWA-7 Regional Director Wilfreda Misterio handed over yesterday the first tranche of their assistance, in check, to the provincial government through Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

The amount covered the towns of Daanbantayan, Pilar, Poro, Sogod, Tabuelan, and Tudela.

OWWA earlier inked an agreement with the provincial government for the implementation of their intervention program whose beneficiaries include OFW families.

Under its Cash-for-Work Assistance Program, OWWA will provide employment to its beneficiaries for a minimum of 15 days and a maximum of 30 days in exchange for the work they will render.

The beneficiaries are tasked to work for the rehabilitation of government buildings and facilities, clearing of municipal roads, and coastal clean-up, among others.

Daanbantayan town, which has the highest number of identified workers, received over P7.5 million.

The program will be implemented in the town on Monday, Misterio said.

OWWA projected a total of 1,852 workers who will be paid P327 per day. It also provided P64,680, which covers the accident insurance premium of the workers.

Sixteen towns in northern Cebu have been affected when the super typhoon ravaged Visayas in November 8.

OWWA assured that the next tranche would be given to the 10 remaining local government units before the month ends.

“Six towns ang unang natagaan kay sila man ang nakauna og complete sa requirements. Like sa program of works nga ato gyod gi-validate didto sa municipalities. Certified nga list to tell us nga mao gyod ni sila ang qualified beneficiaries, residents of the municipality and the status of the membership,” Misterio explained.

She added that only one OFW in a family can avail of the program and he or she has to be immediate member.

“If the OFW is single, either of the parents or iyang igsuon. Or kung minyo, iyang asawa or anak of the legal age,” she further explained. —/NSA (FREEMAN)