Financial assistance amounting to ₱100,000 each was granted to 59 overseas Filipino workers who are cancer patients or survivors during the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan Leg 3 held in Dubai this January, according to information from government welfare agencies involved in the activity.
The cash aid was jointly provided by the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration as part of medical and welfare support extended to overseas Filipinos facing serious health conditions while working abroad.
The assistance comes amid data showing that cancer cases among Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates remain significant. Records from OWWA indicate that nearly 170 Filipinos in the country are currently undergoing cancer treatment, underscoring the scale of medical needs among overseas workers who must continue care while remaining employed or residing overseas.
Based on agency figures, 110 Filipino cancer patients are receiving treatment in Abu Dhabi, while another 60 are based in Dubai. These cases involve workers from different industries, many of whom require prolonged hospitalization, outpatient therapy, or regular monitoring while staying in the host country.
OWWA Administrator PY Caunan confirmed the figures and said the agency maintains regular communication with affected workers and their families. She noted that welfare officers continue to monitor cases to help ensure access to treatment and to facilitate available forms of assistance.
The support is provided through OWWA’s medical and welfare programs, which offer financial aid to qualified members dealing with life-threatening illnesses. These programs are intended to complement existing health coverage and help defray the costs of treatment and hospitalization, whether the care is received overseas or in the Philippines.
Government backing for overseas Filipino workers has also been strengthened this year through higher budget allocations. Under the 2026 national budget, the Department of Migrant Workers and its attached agencies received increased funding, with OWWA allotted ₱4.285 billion to finance welfare services, including medical assistance, emergency support, and on-site services for Filipinos working abroad.
