A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck offshore Sarangani at 7:37 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported, with the epicenter located about 32 kilometers from Maasim and the strongest shaking — Intensity VII — recorded in General Santos City. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 19 people had died and 134 were injured as of June 8, according to coverage by SunStar, with most of the deaths in the Soccsksargen Region.
For overseas Filipino workers in the UAE whose families back home were caught in the disaster, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) runs a program that may help. Here is how it works.
What assistance is available
OWWA’s official website lists Calamity Assistance as one of five forms of aid under its Welfare Assistance Program (WAP). The agency states the WAP is open to OWWA members, “active or non-active,” and their families who are not eligible under other OWWA social benefit programs. Calamity Assistance specifically covers members and families “affected by natural calamities,” including earthquakes, OWWA says.
The cash grant is a one-time benefit and is not a loan, so it does not have to be repaid. Older application guides published by OFW-focused sites such as POLO-OWWA and DMW Guide have cited figures of around PHP 1,000 for natural disasters, while a November 2025 legal commentary by the Respicio law office described a broader WAP range of PHP 3,000 to PHP 20,000 depending on the category. Because these figures vary across sources and dates, families should confirm the current amount directly with OWWA before relying on a specific number.
Who qualifies
Drawing on OWWA’s published criteria and explainers from OFW assistance sites, an applicant generally must meet three conditions:
- OWWA membership. The OFW must be an OWWA member. OWWA’s own WAP page confirms that both active and non-active members may apply, though several guides note that lapsed members may be asked to renew first.
- A declared calamity area. The Respicio commentary and guides such as Techy Kick state that the family must reside in an area where a state of calamity has been declared by the local government unit or the Office of the President. This is the key requirement to watch, as it depends on formal declarations by the affected LGUs in Sarangani, General Santos, and nearby provinces.
- Proof of damage. Applicants typically need a barangay certification confirming residence in the affected community and the damage suffered, according to the Respicio guide and DMW Guide.
Eligible dependents may also file on behalf of the OFW with proper authorization, the explainers note. One important limitation flagged in the Respicio commentary: assistance may be denied if the calamity occurred outside the membership period, or if the family already received aid for the same event from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
How to apply
- Confirm the calamity declaration. Check whether the family’s city or municipality has been placed under a state of calamity. Aid hinges on this.
- Gather documents. Based on the requirements listed by DMW Guide and OWWA Online, prepare photocopies of at least two valid IDs (preferably the OWWA ID or e-card), a barangay certificate proving residence in the affected area, and the OWWA claim form, which includes a declaration that no other family member has already availed of the same assistance.
- File with the right office. Applications go through an OWWA Regional Welfare Office in the Philippines. OFWs still in the UAE can also coordinate through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), the overseas arm of the Department of Migrant Workers, or have an authorized dependent file on their behalf.
- Wait for processing. Guides note that processing can take several weeks, and complete documents help avoid delays. Once approved, the regional office advises beneficiaries on how to claim the grant.
Where to get help
OWWA operates a 24/7 hotline at 1348 within the Philippines and lists its programs at owwa.gov.ph. OFWs in the UAE can also reach the MWO offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for guidance.
Because the situation in Mindanao is still developing and OWWA sometimes announces event-specific terms after major disasters, OFWs are advised to verify the current grant amount, the list of declared calamity areas, and exact document requirements with OWWA or the MWO before filing.
This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice.
