FILE PHOTO FROM PNA
A lawmaker on Wednesday is pushing for financial assistance for the families of 301 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died during the coronavirus pandemic.
For Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, a cash aid worth P100,000 for each family of deceased OFW could mean a “sincere gesture” of the government to the enormous contribution of migrant workers to the Philippine economy.
“That is not much, but it would be a sincere gesture to our modern-day heroes in general that we appreciate their immense contribution to our country’s growth. Hundreds of them have died since the lockdown in March due to COVID-19 or while working to help their families and the nation,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said he would recommend to the House that the funds for the cash aid be included in the proposed Bayanihan 2 or Bayanihan to Recover as One bill.
He said his proposed P100,000-cash aid would be in addition to whatever benefits the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) would give to the dead OFWs’ families.
“We can approve Bayanihan 2 shortly after we convene for our second regular session on July 27. We should give the assistance as soon as possible,” he said.
The first batch of OFW remains (49) from Saudi Arabia had been brought home last July 10 while the second batch (88) arrived on July 19. Many of them died from COVID-19.
The Department of Labor and Employment announced that the third batch of OFW remains (57) will be repatriated to the country next week. All of them died of COVID-19.
