OFW family gets death burial aid

THE family of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who died while working in Kuwait has received P220,000 death and burial assistance from the National Government, through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa).

The recipients of the assistance were the parents of Ailyn Hidalgo, 30, who was found dead inside the drainage system in the basement of her employer’s house last November 27, 2012 at Yarmouk, Kuwait, said Owwa Regional Director Hassan Jumdain.

Hidalgo’s mother, Marlina, received the financial assistance on behalf of the Hidalgo family from Jumdain, who released the death and burial benefits last week.

Families of OFWs, who were Owwa members at the time of their death, are entitled to receive death and burial benefits, Jumdain said.

The family will received P120,000 if the OFW died of natural cause or P220,000 in case of death due to accident, he said.

Hidalgo is from the village of Coloran, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, said Jumdain.

The remains of Hidalgo arrived in Zamboanga City last January 25 and were transported to her native place through the assistance of Owwa and Siay municipal government, he said.

Meanwhile, the families are also eligible to avail of Owwa’s Education and Livelihood Assistance Program, scholarship grant for a qualified dependent, and the surviving spouse will receive P15,000 livelihood assistance.

Hidalgo, who is survived by her eight-year-old daughter, was the eldest among six siblings and the family’s breadwinner. (Bong Garcia)