Philippines plans cash handout for OFWs at airport

  DUBAI – Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the UAE and around the world who lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic may get Dh730 (P10,000) cash aid upon arrival at the Manila airport, according to the head of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). “DOLE is planning to release the cash aid to repatriated overseas Filipino workers) as soon as they arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport,” said DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Bello made the statement during a virtual forum in Manila on Wednesday, less than two weeks after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte approved the release of P5.1 billion additional funding for the DOLE Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (DOLE AKAP) cash assistance program for displaced OFWs. “Why do we need to wait for them to apply for AKAP programme? If they were repatriated, it means they were displaced due to Covid-19 pandemic. That’s the reason why they were sent back home. So, we are thinking once they arrive at the airport, we will give them the cash assistance given to them by President Rodrigo Duterte,” Bello said. “This will ease the burden of the OFWs displaced by the pandemic. We know them as OFWs. We know they were displaced because of Covid-19 and therefore they deserve financial assistance,” he added. Bello, however, did not give a timeline on when the plan will be approved or implemented. Currently, displaced OFWs are required to apply for cash assistance that is disbursed through the consulates and embassies. The DOLE AKAP program is a one-time cash assistance for OFWs who lost their job or part of their salary due to the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The program was launched by DOLE on April 8. In Dubai alone, some 21,500 Filipinos have already received cash assistance, according to figures from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai, as shared by officials in the recent DOLE V Cafe forum. The figure is expected to double, following the recent approval for the disbursement of additional funding. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ Dubai OFW urges Bello to simply requirements for Dh730 cash aid OFWs charged up to P20,000 for swab test? Investigation launched DOLE-AKAP cash aid continues in UAE Dh730 cash aid: How to claim
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