OWWA pitches in to help flood victims

MANILA, Philippines–The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is set to conduct relief operations and medical missions in flood-devastated areas in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog regions, according to OWWA head Carmelita Dimzon.

Dimzon, in a statement issued on Monday, said that the OWWA programs were expected to benefit some 23,500 family members of overseas Filipino workers in those areas, many of which were already declared under the state of calamity.

“Relief goods distribution and medical missions will start shortly. We will be assisted by leaders of OFW groups and local government units through our OFW Help Desks in locating OFW families in flood-hit areas,” she said.

“OWWA teams will conduct relief operations and medical missions in Marikina City, Caloocan City, Malabon, Navotas, Pasig, and Valenzuela, all in the National Capital Region; the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga and Zambales, all in Region III; and Laguna, Cavite and Rizal, in Region IV-A,” Dimzon said.

“Grocery packs containing foodstuff, medicines and personal hygiene kits will be distributed to the flood victims in areas with large concentrations of OFW families,” she added.

Dimzon noted that “just like in our previous outreach programs, conducted in areas hit by [storms]  “Ondoy,” “Pedring” and “Peping,” our personnel, including doctors and nurses, as well as our partner OFW Family Circles, will be mobilized in the distribution of relief goods and conduct of medical missions.”

“With the initial assessment and activities undertaken by the agency, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has instructed OWWA to hasten the conduct of the relief operations for the calamity victims,” she added.

OWWA is one of the agencies attached to the Department of Labor and Employment.