THERE is an increasing awareness of the welfare protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Western Visayas, the top official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) in the region said.
Owwa Western Visayas Director Wilfreda Misterio, who spoke at the opening of the Migrant Workers Day 2018 at Bell Hotel in Bacolod City yesterday, said they have noted a significant increase in terms of welfare awareness after the death of Ilongga OFW Joanna Daniela Demafilis.
The body of Demafelis was discovered inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait last February.
Misterio said many have reported during that month, welfare cases even doubled.
"This means that families in the region are now more vigilant or they are more conscious on the situations of their kin and relatives abroad," she added.
The regional director continues to encourage the public to immediately coordinate with the agency and report any welfare-related concerns affecting their family members working overseas.
But aside from catering to such cases, Misterio said Owwa also have other interventions including scholarships and other development programs.
Owwa Western Visayas' April to May 2018 Accomplishment Report presented by Misterio during the Regional Coordination Council Meeting in Bacolod City on Wednesday showed that the agency has covered 446 beneficiaries through its welfare assistance program.
The amount released is about P2.45 million.
Another program under the agency's Social Protection Benefit is the disability and death benefits.
Through which, Owwa-6 released almost P4 million to 38 beneficiaries within the two-month period.
Reports further showed that for Balik-Pinas Balik-Hanapbuhay, which is under the Family Development Support Program, it has benefited 209 recipients receiving a total of P6.9 million in assistance.
Meanwhile, the two-day Migrant Workers Day aims to pay tribute to the OFWs and their families.
During the first day, leaders of various OFW organizations in the province were trained on basic counseling.
"This is to equip them with knowledge and skills to become counselors in their respective communities," Misterio said.
Other activities for today include discussions on illegal recruitment and trafficking, and programs and projects of other agencies for OFWs like Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Foreign Affairs, Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.