President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday personally oversaw the release of assistance under the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) AKSYON Fund to 3,000 families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were hit by recent floods. The ceremony was held at the Brent Z. Guiao Stadium.
Alongside the President were Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, and local government officials.
Each beneficiary family received ₱5,000 in financial aid from the AKSYON Fund, which serves as the DMW’s primary support mechanism for distressed OFWs and their dependents. President Marcos also announced an additional ₱5,000 cash grant from his office, citing it as a token of deep appreciation for the sacrifices of OFWs.
“Para sa aming mga mahal na OFW, hindi matutumbasan ng salita ang aming pasasalamat sa inyong sakripisyo, sa inyong pagmamahal, sa inyong mga pamilya, sa inyong mga kababayan at sa inyong minamahal na Republika ng Pilipinas,” Marcos said in his speech.
Beneficiaries came from 17 towns and cities across Pampanga, many of whom lost their homes or livelihoods in the recent floods. Officials noted that these families rely heavily on remittances, which were disrupted as they struggled with the impact of the disaster.
In the same event, the DMW, OWWA, DOLE, TESDA, and the Pampanga provincial government signed a Convergence Memorandum of Agreement establishing the “Kalásag ng Proteksyon” framework for OFWs. The initiative focuses on four areas: prevention through education and awareness campaigns; protection via immediate aid, shelter, and legal services; prosecution to strengthen action against illegal recruiters and traffickers; and reintegration through livelihood programs and skills training for returning OFWs.
