50,000 OFWs to benefit from DOLE’s AKAP cash aid

FILE PHOTO: Passengers, mostly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) queue at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA, Philippines — Around 50,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will receive benefits under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) cash assistance program called Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP).

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said Thursday that funds have been downloaded from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“Sa ngayon, ipinag-utos na ni Sec. [Silvestre] Bello na because of the 2022 budget coming in ay na-download na ‘yung funds from the DBM at inaasahan natin na higit-kumulang mayroong 50,000 na panibagong mga OFWs na makikinabang dito sa latest release mula sa DOLE,” he said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(As of now, Secretary Bello ordered that because the 2022 budget is coming in and downloaded from the DBM, we expect around 50,000 more OFWs to benefit from the latest release of DOLE.)

“So, inaasahan natin na ngayong linggo, ida-download sa DOLE regional offices ‘yung funds at magre-release na naman ng pondo,” he added.

(So, we expect this week, the fund will be downloaded and released to DOLE regional offices.)

Cacdac said that applications for AKAP have been halted since January 14 as they are waiting for additional funds.

“Sa ngayon, naka-hold ‘yung pagtanggap namin ng bagong applications effective January 14 but we are making a plea to the national government, to the DBM na magkaroon ng karagdagang pondo para makatanggap na naman tayo ng bagong applications,” he explained.

(Currently, our acceptance of applications is on hold effective January 14 but we are making a plea to the national government, to the DBM to have additional funds to accept more applications.)

“We are currently addressing the pending applications. As to whether or not we will receive new applications, ‘yun po ang idinudulog natin sa DBM, sa national government, na sana mabigyan tayo ng pondo para sa 2022 na AKAP,” continued Cacdac.

(As to whether or not we will receive new applications, that is what we are appealing to the DBM and national government, to give us a fund for this year’s AKAP.)

AKAP is a financial aid program where a one-time P10,000 will be given to OFWs and seafarers.

EDV