Kin seek help for repatriation

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The family of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from La Castellana town in Negros Occidental who died when a building collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon last January 15, has been requesting assistance from the government for the repatriation of her remains.

Mary Ann Davatos of Brgy. Nato in La Castellana was among the three Filipinas who died when the six-storey building they were staying crashed down. Reports said they were attending a prayer meeting of the God’s Divine Love International Ministry at that time.

Davatos reportedly had a tourist visa but decided to work in Lebanon instead. She stayed there for three years and was scheduled to come home this March.

The two other Filipina casualties were Juvelyn Concon from Agusan del Sur and Lucy Bombales.

The OWWA, however, said the families of Davatos and Bombales will not be able to receive benefits from the agency because they were undocumented workers.

Still, OWWA said it will assist the families in transporting the remains of Davatos and Bombales to the Philippines. - THE FREEMAN