The Malolos City government has extended financial relief to 78 more families of overseas workers affected by the Middle East war, bringing the total number of households that have received assistance to 127 since the conflict began.
Mayor Christian D. Natividad personally handed over PHP 10,000 to each of the 78 families on Thursday — the third round of distributions since the city launched its relief effort. Two earlier batches covered 13 and 36 families, respectively, all of them relatives of OFWs who have been unable to send remittances home due to the ongoing conflict.
“Umabot na sa 127 na pamilya ang ating nabigyan ng tulong pinansiyal mula ng sumiklab ang giyera sa Gitnang Silangan at hindi nakakapagpadala ng pera ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” Natividad said. [The number of families we have provided financial assistance to has reached 127 since the war in the Middle East broke out, as their loved ones have been unable to send money.]
Beyond cash aid, the mayor said the city is prepared to help OFWs who want to come home but fall outside the scope of the national government’s repatriation program.
“Ang pamahalaang lungsod ay gagawa ng paraan para makauwi sila at makapiling ang kanilang mga pamilya o kamag-anak na nakatira dito sa Malolos,” he said. [The city government will find ways to bring them home so they can reunite with their families or relatives living here in Malolos.]
A Special Help Desk has also been set up at the city hall to serve as a dedicated channel for affected families seeking assistance.
Natividad also announced that relief efforts will expand beyond OFW-related concerns next week, with fuel subsidies earmarked for members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations and public utility jeepney drivers facing the strain of rising petroleum prices.
“Sa susunod na Linggo, ito namang mga TODA members at mga driver ng pampasaherong jeep ang ating tutulungan at bibigyan ng financial assistance na kahit papaano ay makabawas sa sobrang taas ng presyo ng petrolyo,” he said. [Next week, we will assist TODA members and public utility jeepney drivers by providing financial assistance that, in some way, will help ease the burden of the high cost of fuel.]
