TO better provide aid to distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has hiked the financial assistance provided under the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund.
Based on Department Order (DO) No. 05-2024, the DMW said distressed OFWs and their loved ones would receive higher immediate financial assistance.
“In the interest of the service and to ensure that OFWs and/or their next of kin are supported with financial resources to cope and recover from their distressful situation and help in their ability to return to normalcy, the amount of immediate financial assistance is hereby increased,” said the DMW.
“The qualified beneficiary shall receive a one-time immediate cash financial grant,” it added.
Under the DO, entitled to receive P50,000 are OFWs severely affected and/or displaced due to economic downturn/recession in the host country, bankruptcy of the company/employer, involuntary separation from employment due to retrenchment or downsizing, closure or cessation of operation, redundancy; those who are victims of abuses, exploitation, maltreatment, or contract violations; those who are victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking; those who are victims of natural calamities in the host countries; and the next of kin of incarcerated OFWs serving their sentence.
To be provided P75,000 are the OFWs with severe/serious illness, injury, or mental health condition; those who experienced abuse/exploitation resulting in physical disability, injuries, or mental health condition; those displaced due to war, political unrest, and/or other extraordinary circumstances; and next of kin of OFWs in death row.
An amount of P100,000 would be provided to the next of kin of OFWs who passed away in the host country due to natural or accidental causes, and the next of kin of OFWs who passed away within one year from arrival in the Philippines.
Previously, the DMW provided financial aid ranging from P30,000 to P50,000.
The Department said the request for financial assistance, along with the required documents, shall be submitted onsite through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) or to the DMW if the worker is already in the Philippines.
The mode of payment of the financial assistance could be done onsite through the MWO, at the airport upon the arrival of the OFWs, at the DMW Central Office and its Regional Offices, or through bank transfer, cash, money remittance, or other cost-effective modes.
