A total of seventeen returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Socksargen were given financial assistance by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Friday, Oct. 14.
According to OWWA Region XII Regional Director Marilou M. Sumalinog, 13 of the OFWs were enlisted under the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) program, while four are beneficiaries under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP). All of them are from Socksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City).
The BPBH program is a flagship platform of the OWWA intended to provide immediate relief to returning OFWs amounting to a maximum of P20,000.00 as a start-up or additional capital for the livelihood project.
Meanwhile, WAP assistance is cash support to OFWs who suffered difficulties and victims of natural or manmade calamities.
The OWWA reintegrated the programs through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and other platforms to assist the OFWs.
Apart from the calamity-assisted platform, the WAP program also offers financial assistance to OFWs and their dependents for various reasons including bereavement assistance, disability assistance for members who are victims of crime or accidents, medical assistance and relief aid for members who were displaced or laid-off due to economic and political crisis.
“Over the coming days, we have planned a series of pay-outs of financial assistance under OWWA’s various programs,” Sumalinog said.