No more free accommodation and transportation assistance for Overseas Filipino Workers starting June.
According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the transportation and accommodation assistance will no longer push through for areas in the country under Alert Level 1.
“In light of the IATF pronouncement placing the National Capital Region and other areas in the country on Alert Level 1 status, services, and industries including public transportation are in full operating capacity,” says OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac.
“Hence, transportation assistance for returning OFWs shall be suspended effective June 1, 2022,” he added.
However, there will be exceptions, particularly those distressed OFWs that are certified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) or through the evaluation of the authorized OWWA officers. Those who are still covered by the assistance were those under government-initiated mass repatriation flights or those overseas workers whose airfare is shouldered by POLO.
In line with this, the OWWA-sweeper flights and OWWA-chartered buses will no longer be available starting June 1.
However, OWWA said that they are still willing to assist vaccinated or unvaccinated OFWs who still need to undergo the mandatory facility-based quarantine. But then, their transportation which was previously shouldered by OWWA, will not be available.
Those returning OFWs who need assistance can contact OWWA through their hotline at (02) 88917601 local 5213 or their email address at rad@owwa.gov.ph.
