CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has increased the cash assistance available through its AKSYON Fund to provide greater support to distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, September 3, DMW-10 Regional Director Atty. Fidel Macauyag announced that the assistance now ranges from P30,000 to P100,000, depending on the severity and nature of the cases.
The AKSYON Fund, with a budget of P2.8 billion for this year, offers a variety of assistance to OFWs, including legal aid, medical support, financial assistance, repatriation, shipment of remains, evacuation, and rescue services.
In Northern Mindanao, 24 OFWs have already benefited from the AKSYON Fund, and Macauyag pledged to accelerate its implementation throughout the year.
“Sa ngayon ay ginagawa natin ang lahat para ma-expedite natin yung pag-implement sa lahat ng mga programa. We have already started and I think we are on the right direction right now,” he said.
In addition to the AKSYON Fund, the DMW-10 has implemented other programs to benefit OFWs. The Livelihood Development Assistance has assisted 68 beneficiaries, while 139 have received support through the Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Maam/Sir Program, and 212 have participated in the Balik Pinay Bagong Hanapbuhay initiative.
Macauyag emphasized that the DMW’s programs align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to collaborate in protecting OFWs’ rights and welfare.
“The government seeks to transform the journey and the narrative of the OFWs and their families. Through the DMW, we will empower OFWs and their families to contribute to national development by providing them with the necessary support at all stages of their journey,” stated Macauyag. (APB/PIA-10)
