31 repatriated OFWs receive financial assistance

A total of 31 Overseas Filipino Workers has already received financial aid under the Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS), through the OFW Families Welfare and Crisis Center.

In an interview with Byaheng DO30, Jupanie Bebillo-Simpao, Assistant Focal Person of the OFW Families Welfare and Crisis Center said that those who have availed of the P5,000 assistance are OFWs who got repatriated due to COVID-19.

Simpao said that the center, located on the fifth floor of the CSWDO building, remains open to cater to OFWS who are seeking financial assistance.

“Visit lang sila diri kay pag ma-interivew sila dili lang na siya diretso-diretso mi muhatag sa assistance, gina-home visit pa na nato sila kay para ma-assess gyud nato ang kinahanglan sa family so magdepende siya sa need sa family (They are welcome to visit our office for an interview. We do not directly give the assistance, we conduct home visits to really assess the need of the family, so it will depend on the need of the family),” she said.

Apart from financial assistance, the center was also able to rescue four individuals through the report they received.

Among these individuals, three are children, and one is an adult.

Of the children, one is a 10-year-old girl who is a victim of sexual abuse, the other two are siblings who are a victims of physical abuse. CSWDO already extended intervention for these individuals.

Meanwhile, the rescued adult is an OFW who is a victim of a hit and run incident in Naga City.

Simpao said that the financial assistance and rescue of individuals are only among the assistance given by the center.

“Gikan nagsugod ang OFW Families and Crisis Center naa nata’y mga 100 plus ka mga natabangan. Ubay-ubay napud ang atoang na-refer sa ilahang mga provinces tungod kay ang Davao City OFW Families and Crisis Center is for Davao City residents ra gyud siya so ang atong ginabuhat atong ginatawagan ang CSWDO sa mga provinces kung asa gyud sila nagpuyo (Since the OFW Families and Crisis Center started, we already extended help to 100 individuals. We also already referred many to their provinces because the Davao City OFW Families and Crisis Center is for Davao City Residents only, so we contact the CSWDO of other provinces where they reside),” Simpao added.

The center, launched last May 2022, serves as a central referral hub for concerns of migrant workers.

Those who want to raise their concerns may reach the OFW Crisis Center thru 0999 994 3577, or thru their landline number (082) 225 6214, email ofwcenter.davaocity@gmail.com, or message their official Facebook Page: OFW Families’ Welfare and Crisis Center Davao City. CIO