Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa has urged government agencies to provide a viable livelihood for the country’s Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) especially those who were repatriated caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Dela Rosa issued the call during a recent virtual Joint Committee Hearing of the committees on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development; Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship; Economic Affairs; Ways and Means; Foreign Relations; Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies; and Finance.
The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief noted that one of the most feasible ways to earn during this time, where various levels of lockdown are being implemented by the government, is through the motorcycle delivery service.
The pandemic has spurred the increase of motorcycle delivery and courier businesses because the people, mostly staying in their homes to avert the spread of the virus, resort to food and supplies delivery on a daily basis.
“Masaya kasi ako nung sinabi mo (OWWA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac) na aabot ng P100,000 pataas yung ibibigay ninyo…Marami akong nakausap na mga repatriated na mga OFWs na sabi nila, ‘Sir baka mabigyan lang kami ng assistance pangbili ng motorsiklo dahil nga ngayon ang pinaka-in demand na hanap-buhay yun mga Lalamove, mga Food Panda,’ gusto nilang sumali sa mga ganoon sana. Ang halaga kasi ng motorsiklo ngayon is P100,000 to P120,000 o P150,000 kaya masaya ako kung mabigyan natin yung mga OFWs natin diyan, para makabili sila ng motor,” Dela Rosa said. (I am glad that you – Cacdac – said that you extend from P100,000 upwards. I have talked to many OFWs who have stated that you have extended financial assistance to buy motorcycles that are in demand today for delivery services firms. The price of a motorcycle now ranges from P100,000 to P120,000.)
During the hearing, Cacdac, administrator of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), revealed that the assistance to be given to the OFWs will be by groups to ensure the success of their chosen nature of business to pursue.
Dela Rosa urged the OWWA to explore if the government can extend financial assistance to the repatriated OFWs individually considering that most of the returning Filipino workers are interested to individually purchase a motorbike and join the motorcycle delivery and ride-hailing companies to earn.