OWWA ceases giving P10,000 in aid to OFWs bound for HK, Macau after lifting of travel ban

LEGAZPI CITY—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Bicol on Thursday announced that it would stop the processing of financial aid to hundreds of Bicolano Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) bound for Hong Kong and Macau after the government recently lifted the travel ban in these countries as a precaution against COVID-19.

Rowena Alzaga, OWWA Bicol spokesperson, said the ban remained in force for OFWs travelling to China. These workers would be entitled to P10,000 in cash aid.

She said OWWA statistics indicated that there were 137 registered OFWs in Bicol working in China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan that were stranded here as a result of the travel ban.

Data showed that Camarines Sur has the most OFWs with 76 on its list, followed by Albay with 35, Sorsogon with nine, Catanduanes with eight, Masbate with five, and Camarines Norte with only four.

Earlier, over 100 Bicolano OFWs, who couldn’t return to their jobs because of the travel ban, received P10,000 each in aid from the OWWA.

Edited by TSB