DOLE To OFW Workers: Here’s How To Claim Your $200 Cash Aid From The Gov’t

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Wednesday, March 25, that cash assistance amounting to $200 (over ₱10,000) will be provided to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose work was affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the government under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is doing its best to address the immediate needs of displaced workers and those belonging to the most vulnerable sectors during this public health emergency situation.

“Similarly, we have crafted an assistance program for our OFWs whose works were disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are looking at about 70,000 OFWs who will be provided with $200 in cash assistance each,” the secretary said in a statement.


To avail of the program, OFWs must submit their certificate of employment issued by their agencies.

Their application will be evaluated and processed by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

OFWs are advised to get in touch with POLO in their host country if they are based abroad or visit the nearest (OWWA) regional office if they are currently in the Philippines.

Secretary Bello also reported that about 212,718 workers have been displaced due to the rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

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“Now, of the total ₱1.5 billion available assistance package of the Department, we have initially released ₱35 million to affected workers both those in the formal and informal sectors,” he said.

He noted that the agency is now fast-tracking the processing of requirements submitted by companies in order to immediately provide assistance to affected employees.

“We hope to cover at least 50 percent of those affected by next week,” Secretary Bello added.

READ: DOLE To All Private Workers: Here’s How To Claim Your ₱5000 Cash Aid From The Gov’t

Source: PNA