The Philippine government has prepared a Php12 billion-peso‘Mahal na mahal kayo ng Pangulo’: Bello reveals Duterte prioritizes OFWs; calls them his “favorites” budget to help Filipino workers who have been displaced in the country as well as overseas due to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Reports from the Philippine News Agency state that the funds were allocated across three major programs of the Duterte administration to help both formal and informal workers.
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“For these programs, we have a total funding of PHP12.4 billion. Sourced from the DOLE 2020 regular budget, PHP4.8 billion; Bayanihan Act 1, PHP2.5 billion, and recently released repatriation funds of PHP5 billion,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
He expressed his gratitude to President Duterte especially for the Php5 billion allocation since this would help displaced OFWs to return back home to the Philippines.
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“The OFWs are very thankful, Mr. President because we didn’t ask for this fund but we were surprised when you gave us PHP5 billion for repatriation expenses,” said Secretary Bello.
