DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – Two displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from Dagupan City received on Monday a financial assistance amounting to P50,000 each from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Region 1.
The beneficiaries, Dela Cruz and Andal, both residents of Barangay Bonuan Boquig, returned to the country from the Republic of Sudan on April 29 through the repatriation program of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA.
OWWA-Region 1 officer-in-charge regional director Gerardo Rimorin said the awarding of financial assistance to OFWs is part of the repatriation program of the agency that aims to help Filipinos affected by the civil unrest in the Republic of Sudan.
Rimorin said the funds for the grant is sourced from the Emergency Repatriation Fund (ERF).
He said the beneficiaries are the first OFWs in Region 1 who received the financial assistance from the agency.
Rimorin added that OWWA is now processing the documents of 11 OFWs in Region 1 as another batch of recipients who will soon receive the same amount of financial assistance.
“The financial assistance aims to help the families restart again while awaiting restoration of normalcy in Sudan,” Rimorin said, adding that aside from the financial assistance, OWWA-Region 1 readies P20,000 worth of livelihood assistance for distressed OFWs.
“Kung kayo po ay affected at kayo po ay galing sa Sudan, punta lang kayo sa pinakamalapit na OWWA. Nandito po kami para makinig, tumulong, at i-process namin ‘yong benefits niyo, not only the financial assistance pati rin livelihood assistance,” Rimorin said.
In Pangasinan, OWWA satellite offices are located in the cities of Dagupan, Alaminos, and Urdaneta.
OFW Andal expressed his gratitude for the assistance they received from the government.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa malaking tulong na ito ng OWWA kasi malaking bagay ito para sa amin para makapagsimula ulit at makapag-umpisa ng business dito. Sana magtuloy-tuloy ‘yong mga ganitong pagtulong ng pamahalaan,” said Andal.
On the other hand, OFW Dela Cruz said, “Maraming salamat po kay Pangulong Marcos at sa inyong lahat dahil sa tulong po ninyo kaya kami nakauwi rito.” BY ELSHA MARIE S. ARGUEL
