PBBM READIES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ALL SUPPORT TO BEREAVED FAMILIES OF OFWS SLAIN, AFFECTED FILIPINOS IN ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT

The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos has prepared all government assistance that will be extended to all Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict between the Israeli forces and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. 

In its report to President Marcos, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will provide PhP200,000 cash assistance for the bereaved family of the three Filipinos who were killed in the ongoing conflict and PhP50,000 cash assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). 

The OWWA and the DMW will also provide wake and burial assistance of PhP20,000 as they will shoulder repatriation and transportation costs from the airport to the OFW’s home address in the Philippines.  

The OWWA will also provide PhP20,000 cash assistance to its inactive members while the DMW will provide PhP50,000 in cash, which may be increased upon the instruction of President Marcos and DMW officer-in-charge Migrant Workers Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac. 

Aside from the financial assistance, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will also assist in the repatriation of OFWs and affected Filipinos, shipment of remains, and provide welfare medical and hospital assistance, among others, while in other country. 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide transportation assistance from the airport to their home address in the Philippines along with other welfare assistance as it will also extend financial assistance under its Crisis Situations Program. 

President Marcos has also ordered the DMW, OWWA and DSWD to provide educational assistance to the children of the victims; the DMW, OWWA, DSWD and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to provide livelihood assistance; and the DMW, OWWA and the Department of Health (DOH) to provide medical and psychological support. 
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were ordered to provide labor matching services, skilling, re-skilling and upskilling training programs to returning OFWs. | PND