The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has set another P2 billion worth of funds to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) temporarily or permanently displaced by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement, DOLE said that starting November 30, OFWs who will be repatriated to the Philippines can now file their application for DOLE’s AKAP financial program online, prior to their arrival to the country.
DOLE said that the financial assistance may be received within three to five days.
Applicants for the financial assistance can apply in the website oasis.owwa.gov.ph.
This will give OWWA enough time to process the application prior to their arrival in the Philippines.
“This will shorten the waiting period of OFW applicants as they are now allowed to apply while still on site and receive the financial assistance once they come back home to the Philippines,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said in a statement.
The additional two billion fund is part of the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act.
Under DOLE’s AKAP proram, OFWs affected by the pandemic can get a one-time PHP10,000 or $200 cash aid.
