The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has offered bereavement assistance to one of the ‘Fallen Five’ rescuers in Bulacan who died in the line of duty during the onslaught of Typhoon “Karding”.
OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio directed the Regional Welfare Office 3 to communicate to the family of Marby Bartolome, a seafarer and a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW).
Bartolome is one of the five members of the Bulacan rescue team who perished in a flash flood in Barangay Camias, San Miguel, Bulacan on Sunday night, Sept. 25.
His cadaver was discovered along with that of Jerson Resurreccion, Troy Justin Agustin, George Agustin, and Narciso Calayag.
OWWA RWO 3 Regional Director Atty. Falconi V. Millar paid respect to the late OFW and also discussed with the family the benefits of a non-active OFW under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) - Bereavement Assistance.
Under OWWA’s WAP Bereavement Program, an active OWWA member are entitled to receive P100,000 for deaths due to natural causes and P200,000 for accidental death while in the line of work.
In the case of Bartolome, the OWWA has to validate the record of the deceased ex-OFW, whether he is an active or non-active member.
In the event of being a non-active member, the bereaved family of Bartolome will receive at least P20,000 as bereavement assistance.
However, the OWWA chief directed OWWA RWO-3 to advance further assistance to the family of the fallen hero and find ways to extend extra aid to them.