(By Ellicia Del Mundo)

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will provide financial aid for the families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who were severely affected by the earthquake in North Luzon on Wednesday, July 27.

“May instructions na sa OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), kay Administrator Hans Cacdac, na maglaan ng initial na pondo na Php 20 million para makatulong kami sa mga OFW families na naduon, natamaan din nitong lindol. Kahit papaano, makatulong kami using the calamity fund of OWWA,” DMW Sec. Susan Ople said in an interview with Gerry Baja and Anthony Taberna during DZRH’s Dos por dos.

She said the regional offices will be the ones to distribute the financial aid.

“May regional offices kami, sila na ang lalapit. Pinapakumpleto ko lang yung listahan ng OWWA members na doon nakatira sa mga tinamaan areas ng lindol,” she explained.

Ople said the OWWA team will also visit the victims in the affected areas and she instructed them to bring doctors and nurses, in case medical assistance is needed.

“Makikipag-coordinate kami sa DOH (Department of Health) at sa mga LGU (Local Government Unit) para hindi kami maging sagabal kasi siyempre ngayon LGUs at DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) muna,” she said.

According to Ople, OFWs who can’t communicate with their families in Abra or near the provinces may call the landline 1348 or they could ask for the assistance of OWWA Regional Offices.

The DMW Secretary also said she coordinated with Pag-ibig and asked them to provide a loan window for the repair of the houses of OFWs.