By Myris Lee
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said it will give P7 million in aid to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been affected by the lockdown in Shanghai, China due to the ongoing COVID-19 surge.
In the May 3 Laging Handa public briefing, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the first batch of funds amounting to P2.5 million was already sent to Shanghai to be distributed to OFWs.
“Ang budget na nakalaan dito is around P7 million and we have set the preliminary P2.5 million, and we will set the second batch of P2.5 [million], and then until mabuo natin ‘yung P7 million,” Cacdac said.
Cacdad said they will provide an additional $200 USD worth of assistance to almost 600 OFWs in Shanghai who tested positive for COVID-19.
“‘Yung mga nadapuan ng COVID, additional $200. Mahigit kumulang mga 500 to 600 OFWs na lumapit sa konsulada natin na mabibigyan ng ayuda dito sa halaga na ito,” he said.
OWWA also conducted a mental wellness webinar in partnership with the Department of Health and the National Center for Mental Health for the mental health of the OFWs in Shanghai.
“Nagkaroon tayo ng mental wellness webinar, so ang mga OFWs can cope with this lockdown,” he added. – gb