The Overseas Workers Welfare Authority (OWWA) expressed its hopes that the passage of the Bayanihan 3 into law will bring more funds for the agency’s financial aid for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
According to OWWA Chief Hans Leo Cacdac, its hopes were revived after learning that House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is working towards the approval of “Bayanihan to Arise As One Act,” also known as Bayanihan 3.
OFW Funds to be Replenished Through Passage of Bayanihan 3
According to Cacdac, Speaker Velasco revealed that Bayanihan 3 is being prepared and the agency looks forward to its contributions in ‘replenishing’ the AKAP funds, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Previously, Velasco shared that the Department of Finance assured efforts are being made to identify funding sources for the PHP420-billion pandemic stimulus bill.
In line with this, the Bayanihan 3 seeks to help displaced workers and acquire vaccines, as well as low-income individuals. The dole-out will also include allowances for public school teachers and students under K-12 and tertiary level.
Meanwhile, Cacdac said that around 450,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have benefited from the Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP) Program.
“We’re almost complete. We are down to our last 5,000, I think,” he said.
Included in the program are OFWs on-site and those displaced or repatriated due to the pandemic. Eligible beneficiaries will be given a one-time financial aid of PHP10,000 or USD200.
He added that close to 10,000 dependents of OFWs also received PHP 30,000 under the Tabang OFW program, which covers collegiate level dependents of temporarily or permanently displaced OFWs.
Moreover, he shared that close to 490,000 OFWs were transported back to their home provinces in May 2020.
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