GENERAL SANTOS CITY – At least eight families of deceased overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from Soccsksargen received livelihood assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Wednesday.
Christelyn Caceres, OWWA 12 (Soccsksargen) acting director, said the beneficiaries are composed of families left behind by overseas workers who died these past months while at work.
Caceres said these OFWs were all active members of OWWA by the time of their death due to various circumstances. According to reports, the OFWs died of illnesses or accidents.
She said the eight families qualified for the livelihood assistance, worth PHP15,000 each, under the agency’s Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP).
She said recipients received livelihood starter kits for sari-sari store ventures, which include the initial merchandise and necessary tools.
The beneficiaries earlier underwent a one-day training course on business enterprise development and management, focusing on how to start a business and financial literacy, she said.
“This is to ensure the sustainability of their chosen enterprises,” Caceres added.
Aside from the livelihood assistance, the recipients also qualified for the educational assistance component of the program.
Under the ELAP, a member of the deceased OFW’s family will get an annual scholarship assistance of PHP5,000 for elementary, PHP8,000 for high school, and PHP10,000 for college.
ELAP is a flagship initiative of the OWWA program that aims to provide immediate relief to dependents of deceased OFWs.
The program intends to “support, strengthen, and improve the lives” of the families left behind by deceased OFWs.
Caceres said many unforeseen circumstances face OFWs that sometimes lead to death. (PNA)
