11 OFWs from Libya get cash aid

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  — Eleven of 21 overseas Filipino workers from Libya who went home to Negros Oriental each received P10,000 cash assistance from the provincial government yesterday in addition to the P10,000 already given by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Governor Roel Degamo said the assistance came from the provincial government's assistance fund for individuals in crisis situation. There were 10 others who were supposed to get their share but failed to come to the ceremonies held at the Capitol.

One of the OFWs who got the money was 59-year-old Ben Contes, a heavy equipment operator in Libya, who were among 60 Filipinos who left Libya via Egypt. He said he is still willing to go back to work in Libya because it helped his family a lot.

Another OFW, Deborah Barba who is a nurse in Libya, said she would no longer work outside the Philippines but plans now to apply at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

The governor told The FREEMAN that, besides the financial aid, the LGU will study the possibility of providing livelihood to the repatriated OFWs. (FREEMAN)