Since the start of the fifth surge in February, the Philippine government has been assisting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have been affected by COVID-19. 2,302 OFWs have received a total of US$200 in “COVID After Care Financial Assistance” as of Monday, July 4th.
Also Read: DMW Office Ready to Assist OFWs in Macau
Another tranche of documents relating to 2,192 Hong Kong-based foreign workers’ requests for assistance is expected to be published in the next few days.
After Care Financial Assistance is available to overseas workers who tested positive for COVID-19 and require assistance. Requests are evaluated by OWWAs standards, which includes emergency food packs, hygiene kits, and, when necessary, temporary housing. So it is important that if you need assistance, you should ask for help and file an application as soon as possible.
POLO-HK and OWWA Report OFWs Affected with COVID-19
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Hongkong (POLO-HK) have issued separate notifications to Secretary Susan “Toots” V. Ople reporting that 2,302 COVID-afflicted OFWs received a benefit of US$200 as of Monday, July 4th 2022.
When you are alone overseas and have no support network to assist you, acquiring COVID-19 sickness is extremely disheartening. We should be able to reach out to them, let them know we care, and convey the message that the government is with them in their fight against this dreaded disease.
How to Get the COVID After Care Financial Assistance
OFWs who need COVID After Care Financial Assistance or other government services can contact the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Office or embassy in their host country.
OFWs in Hong Kong may visit the Facebook page of OWWA-HK by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/1628685604093885/posts/2744516505844117/.
They may also call the following numbers:
- 6345-9324 (OWWA-HK);
- 5529-1880 (POLO-HK); or
- 9155-4023 (Philippine Consulate).
The OFW Assistance Program provides support in a variety of ways, but one of the most popular is its hotline number. The Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has the hotline at 1348.
This is good to know that the Department of Migrant Workers, although a newly-created department, has been transparent and loud in showing its support for the Filipino migrant workers abroad.
We hope that this trend of assisting our OFWs will continue, and that other government agencies will also do their part in helping our kababayans. We don’t know what the future holds, but we are glad that our fellow Filipinos will not have to face it alone.