DFA will extend P5K cash aid to stranded OWFs affected by NAIA runway mishap
By Roel Tibay
Published Aug 21, 2018 07:15 pm
By Roy Mabasa
Reeling from the widespread criticisms over the thousands of passengers left stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said it will extend P5,000 financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers who were unable to depart due to flight delays and cancellations resulting from the recent airline accident at the country’s premier airport.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the DFA, through its Office of Migrant Workers Affairs (OMWA), will extend the cash assistance starting August 22 (Wednesday) afternoon until August 24 (Friday) afternoon to affected overseas workers.
Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano
(AP Photo/Aaron Favila / MANILA BULLETIN) Cayetano is in Jakarta, Indonesia watching the basketball game between the Philippines and China. “The DFA, together with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration are working together to address the concerns of our overseas workers who have been stranded at the NAIA in the past few days,” Secretary Cayetano said. The dole-out money, according to Cayetano, would be drawn from the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund of the DFA. The DFA announced that OFWs affected by the flight delays and cancellations and who are still in the country can personally claim the assistance at the OMWA offices at the third floor of the DFA Building in Roxas Boulevard and at NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3. beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 23 and 24 (Thursday and Friday). It added that those claiming the financial assistance should present their airline ticket showing original date of departure; the reissued ticket showing the new date of departure; employment contract; and overseas employment certificate. Aside from the cash assistance, the DFA said its embassies and consulates general abroad are ready to issue certifications and make representations with foreign employers if needed to explain to foreign employers the delay in the arrival of their Filipino employees.
Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano(AP Photo/Aaron Favila / MANILA BULLETIN) Cayetano is in Jakarta, Indonesia watching the basketball game between the Philippines and China. “The DFA, together with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration are working together to address the concerns of our overseas workers who have been stranded at the NAIA in the past few days,” Secretary Cayetano said. The dole-out money, according to Cayetano, would be drawn from the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund of the DFA. The DFA announced that OFWs affected by the flight delays and cancellations and who are still in the country can personally claim the assistance at the OMWA offices at the third floor of the DFA Building in Roxas Boulevard and at NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3. beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 23 and 24 (Thursday and Friday). It added that those claiming the financial assistance should present their airline ticket showing original date of departure; the reissued ticket showing the new date of departure; employment contract; and overseas employment certificate. Aside from the cash assistance, the DFA said its embassies and consulates general abroad are ready to issue certifications and make representations with foreign employers if needed to explain to foreign employers the delay in the arrival of their Filipino employees.