Financial assistance amounting to more than ₱235,000, along with long-term educational and livelihood support, has been released to the families of two overseas Filipino workers from Isabela who recently passed away while working in Hong Kong.
Officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration personally went to Sta. Isabel, Jones, Isabela to convey government assistance to the family of Maryan Esteban, underscoring a hands-on approach in delivering aid to bereaved OFW families. The delegation was led by OWWA Administrator PY Caunan, Deputy Administrator Rosalia Susana Bahia-Catapang, and the Regional Welfare Office II under Regional Director Virsie Tamayao.
During the visit, OWWA turned over ₱220,000 in social benefits intended to address immediate financial needs following Esteban’s death. The family also received ₱15,000 in livelihood assistance under the Emergency Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), aimed at helping them establish a source of income.
Beyond short-term relief, OWWA committed to cover the educational needs of Esteban’s child through college under the ELAP Educational Assistance program, ensuring continued access to schooling despite the loss of the family’s primary breadwinner. Additional financial support was also extended through the Office of the First Lady, supplementing the assistance already released by OWWA.
After completing the visit in Sta. Isabel, OWWA representatives proceeded to the home of the family of Janine Suguitan, another OFW from Hong Kong who recently died. While the specific breakdown of assistance for Suguitan’s family was not separately detailed, OWWA confirmed that the same level of support and government assistance was conveyed to them.
OWWA officials said the outreach was meant to ensure that families of deceased overseas workers are not left to shoulder the financial and emotional burden alone, with support mechanisms extending beyond immediate relief.
