DOLE awaits DBM on P2.5B for OFW aid

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is waiting for the Department of Budget and Management's (DBM) decision on its request for an additional PHP2.5 billion to fund its cash assistance program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III expressed confidence that President Duterte will approve the funding request, given his support for OFWs.

DOLE has already received P1.5 billion and an additional P1 billion in May for its Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program, which provides a one-time cash aid of PHP10,000 or USD200 to qualified OFWs.

As of July 4, DOLE offices have approved assistance requests from 224,756 out of more than 551,000 applicants, with 128,348 still abroad.