By Mary Jane R. Amarado
ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 29 - The Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has turned over checks worth P1,138,799.18
to OFW beneficiaries during the consultation meeting with the OFW Leaders &
Institutional Partners held on May 24, 2012 at the Garden Orchid Hotel, this city.
The message of OWWA Administrator
Carmelita Dimzon which was read by Regional Director Hassan Jumdain conveyed
that the government pays tribute to the country’s remarkable workforce of more
than 9.5 million OFWs in about 190 countries around the globe.
Director Jumdain together with
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Chief Administrative Officer Elsa Tan
led the distribution of checks.
Two legal heirs of deceased OFWs were provided
with death and burial benefit in the amount of P220,000 each for death due to
accident while three dependents received P120,000 for death of natural cause.
Meanwhile, twenty four scholars under
the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) received their scholarship
checks amounting to a total of P 318,799.18. The scholars are dependents of member-OFWs
attending short-term training program consisting of a maximum of P 14,500 per
course leading to the completion of a vocational or technical course.
In addition, two displaced OFWs from
Syria were granted with the Relief Assistance Program in the amount of P10, 000
each.
The event which was attended by
Institutional partners like Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) represented by
its Assistant Vice-President/Regional Head Mr. Khurshid Kalabud, Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Visayan Forum
aimed to discuss the different services each institution has to offer, underscoring
how the government is attuned to the needs of every OFW and their families.
(MJRA/OWWA9/PIA9/alt)