In a statement, Bello said a huge chunk of the fresh funds will be released to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which handles the repatriation of OFWs. Aside from repatriation assistance, Bello said that OWWA shoulders the cost of COVID-19 tests for repatriated OFWs. DOLE’s Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) and OWWA, Bello added, had processed and approved the applications of 267,584 OFWs under the program meant to benefit only 250,000. He added that he has already requested a P2.5 billion additional fund to augment the requirements of about 597,469 OFWs seeking government assistance. With the additional funding, the labor chief said more OFWs will benefit from the AKAP program and even more overseas workers will be repatriated and provided with assistance.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 09, 2020 03:22 UTC