DOLE-OWWA Region XI release P4.2 M DOLE AKAP Assistance to Displaced OFWs

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office XI and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) – Regional Welfare Office XI has so far released a total of PhP4.2 million pesos cash assistance to 420 out of 550 approved and qualified beneficiaries of the DOLE-AKAP for OFWs as of April 23, 2020. The remaining beneficiaries are expected to claim the same assistance through MLhuillier in the coming days.

DOLE-AKAP for OFWs is a one-time cash assistance worth P10,000.00 intended for displaced land-based and sea-based (regular/undocumented) workers, returning workers (Balik Manggagawa) to their jobsites but were stranded in the Philippines, and qualified undocumented OFWs who have experienced job displacement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualified OFWs may log in to dole-akap.owwa.gov.ph and submit their application form and required documents online. More details of the program are available at owwa.gov.ph.

As of April 23, 2020, the OWWA Davao Region has received a total of 3,463 applications since its launch on April 13, 2020. After a thorough assessment and evaluation of the submitted documents, 550 applications have been approved and endorsed to DOLE XI for the disbursement of the financial assistance. A total of P8.9 M is allotted for Region XI from the DOLE COVID 19 Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE-CAMP). Presently, OWWA XI evaluators are still processing the applications on queue for endorsement to DOLE.

Approved OFW applicants will be notified and may claim the cash assistance at any MLhuillier branch. As of today, April 23, 2020, many OFWs have claimed their financial assistance. They sincerely extend their gratitude to DOLE and OWWA through the agencies’ hotline numbers, email accounts and Facebook page. According to them, the cash assistance they received would greatly help their families in sustaining their needs amidst COVID 19 pandemic.

Some OFWs in Oman received $200 DOLE AKAP cash assistance: