DFA PR
SEOUL 03 August 2020 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul continues to provide cash relief to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) whose employment were affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic, through the DOLE-AKAP.
More than 700 OFWs in South Korea have received the one-time financial cash assistance amounting to USD200 each under the DOLE-AKAP, a program being implemented by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) to assist OFWs worldwide who are displaced by the pandemic.
According to Chargé d’affaires a.i., Christian L. de Jesus, OFWs in Korea who were displaced from their jobs, whether permanently or temporarily due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, and those who were quarantined for 14-days upon arrival may apply for DOLE-AKAP.
“The Embassy continues to assist Filipinos in Korea amidst the pandemic. Since March, we have extended assistance by providing masks, hygiene kits, and food packages to our kababayans especially those in the most affected areas in Korea. We have also organized seven special flights for around 1,200 Filipinos who found themselves stranded in Korea due to cancellation of flights from Incheon to Manila. And for those whose employment or income were seriously affected due to the economic impact of COVID-19, our OFWs in Korea were extended cash aid under DOLE-AKAP,” said CDA de Jesus.
OFWs in Korea who received DOLE-AKAP sent SMS and email messages expressing appreciation for the timely assistance provided by the Philippine government.
“Isa po ako sa dumating last June 25 dito. Malaking tulong po para samin ito na na-Mandatory Quarantine ng 14 Days. Muli po, maraming maraming salamat po. (I was one of those who came last June 25 here. This is a big help for us who have a Mandatory Quarantine of 14 days. Again, thank you very much.)” (R. Macay, Sincere worker)
“Grateful po ako sa tulong na naibigay ninyo sa akin sa pamamagitan ng mabilis na pag proseso ng ayudang 200 dollar. Malaking kaginhawahan po ang halagang ito ngayong panahong may Covid 19 sa Korea. Kahit na undocumented po ako ay natulungan nyo ako. Maraming salamat po, Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (I am grateful for the help you gave me through the quick processing of the 200 dollar aid. This amount is a great relief now that there is Covid 19 in Korea. Even though I am undocumented, you helped me. Thank you very much, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.)” (R. Arasanzo, factory worker)
“Salamat po muli lalong lalo na po sa bayan kong Pilipinas, ramdam namin ang pagmamahal ng sariling bayan namin. (Thank you again especially to my country, Philippines, we feel the love of our own country.)” (E.J. Espinar, EPS worker)
Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) continues to receive applications for DOLE-AKAP from OFWs in Korea. For information and application form, please check out the Embassy website and POLO-Korea FB Page or call 02 3785-3634/5 for inquiries.
