In her statement during the launching of the regional programs and projects last week, Secretary Baldoz said, “OWWA regional offices should have a profile of all active and inactive members for livelihood assistance and cash for work and it should be available if the members need it.”
Baldoz said there are funds that are intended for OFW support both from the national government and the employers’ contribution that go to the OWWA Trust fund.
Aside from the OWWA trust fund, the national government is also setting aside P50 million for our OFWs under the National Reintegration Fund. This is for the victims of maltreatment abroad who have come home and decided to work here permanently.
“They should be given alternative employment and livelihood here,” the secretary emphasized.
Baldoz added that the program also includes scholarships for the children of OFWs. She, however, said that active OFWs can also avail themselves of work-related insurance.
“Active and non-active OFWs can avail of all our programs except that only active members can avail of insurance since insurance is connected with their being active workers,” she explained.
Baldoz has also asked OWWA-9 Regional Director Hassan Gabra Jumdain to submit a separate report if there are OWWA members that are victims of the September 2013 MNLF-Misuari Group attack in the city.
“I want a separate report if there are members who are victims of the recent crisis in Zamboanga City and what are the assistance extended to them,” she stressed.