265 Filipinos, who survived the coronavirus in Kuwait have applied for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) financial assistance provided by the Philippine Government for Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs) deployed around the world.
In a brief interview with Philippines Assistant Labor Attaché Cathy Duladul stated that the financial assistance of US 200 from POLO is to provide support to OFWs who survived the coronavirus. Duladul said that there are 265 applications received by POLO in the previous months and that 194 have received the said amount. “We hope that this amount can somehow help survivors to purchase medicines or other essentials needed for their recovery. They just have to go to the site allocated for application and submission of requirements, and we will respond as soon as we receive them,” stated Duladul.
Among the requirements to be submitted online include: scanned copies of medical report from the hospital showing that the applicant was tested positive of COVID-19, page of passport with name of applicant, front and back of Civil ID, scanned copy of bank account or ATM where you wish the financial assistance be deposited and need to fill up application form which can be downloaded at POLO Kuwait FB Account. All details must be emailed to: kuwait@owwa.gov.ph. The program Financial Assistance for COVID-19 was launched in June.
Duladul also announced that OWWA and POLO have reopened their services but on limited scopes. She added that the DOLE AKAP is ongoing on daily basis, which include weekends and that calls will be made to applicants for their appointments. OFWs who seek for assistance pertaining to labor and welfare assistance may call the number 94039063 or fill up a form online via its FB page. OWWA membership may also be renewed online.
Services such as verification of contracts and Balik Mangagawa are still not available and full resumption of services will have to depend on the normalization phases Kuwait has implemented.
Duladul urge all OFWs to stay safe at all times. Amidst the opening of several facilities and that infections occur on daily basis and should there is no need for them to go out, they must stay at home.
Ricky Laxa / Staff Writer