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| Some Aksyon Fund recipients pose with officers of the MWO in HK |
News
that a total of Php8.8 million has been dispensed from the Department of
Migrant Workers’ Agarang Kalinga at
Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (Aksyon) Fund to help 118 seriously
ill Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong has surprised many community leaders.
Among them was Cynthia CA Tellez of the Mission for Migrant Workers who said she had never heard of the cash aid of Php75,000 or its HK dollar equivalent being given
to ailing workers in Hong Kong, many of whom seek them out over a number of
concerns.
One of the Mission’s
clients, Juvy A Bustamante, who has been battling stage 4 breast cancer for
years, said she had tried to apply for medical assistance from the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration but gave up because of the numerous
requirements.
A cash aid of Php75,000
would be a big help since she is now in Hong Kong indefinitely after doctors
told her she will have to undergo chemotherapy for the rest of her life if she
wanted to survive.
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| Juvy, right, with her 'Mama' Edwina Antonio of Bethune House |
The same reaction was
expressed by Marites Palma, founder of Social Justice for Migrant Workers which
has been helping many overseas Filipino workers in distress for years, and has
even raised funds to help them cover the cost of treatments and of relocation
back to the Philippines.
Palma said the only medical
aid for OFWs that she is aware of is the one that comes from OWWA, and wondered
why the Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong never held a briefing with Filcom leaders
on the Akap Fund.
According to a post by
the MWO in HK which reported on the medical help extended to 118 OFWs through
the Aksyon Fund, the beneficiaries were diagnosed with severe illnesses such as
breast, cervical and ovarian cancer. They were given the financial aid from
August 2023 to May 2025.
At least one of those
who commented on The SUN’s story on the Aksyon Fund was quick to give thanks,
saying she was one of the beneficiaries.
“Salamat MWO HK sa Medical Assistance na aking
natanggap May 28, 2025,”
said Rose Marie Rafanan Manuel in her comment.
She told The SUN afterwards that she sought OWWA’s
help when she was diagnosed with colon cancer, and was advised to file a
separate application with the MWO so she could be assessed if she qualified for
the Aksyon Fund.
Manuel said she was asked to submit a diagnosis of her
illness, a medical certificate, discharge slip from the hospital after she was
operated on in March, and a medical abstract of her condition.
She received the Php75,000 only two months later,
while a check from OWWA is still under process and will be issued to her child
back in the Philippines, Manuel said.
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| Rose shares a photo of her documents and the envelope containing P75k from Aksyon Fund |
Netizens who praised the allotment of funds to
seriously ill OFWs expressed disappointment, even anger, at the bureaucratic red
tape that prevents many worthy claimants to get help.
One of them, Charry de Leon, said, “Kahit gaano kaganda ang project, pero ang
mga taong nangangasiwa sa Pilipinas ay pinapahirapan pa ang mga claimants, yung
medical assistance na ayos na ang mga requirements..pagdating sa Pilipinas
delayed pa rin ng ilang buwan.”
(No matter how good the project, those tasked to
promote it could make life difficult for the claimants. The medical assistance
which they are claiming, with all the requirements in order, could still be
delayed once it reaches Manila).
Another
said a pension and free medical examination for those going home for good are
enough incentives.
“Huwag naman yong may may malubhang sakit,
Diyos ko, gusto pa naming mabuhay,” said
another.
(Let’s
not talk of those seriously ill, Lord, we want to live longer)” said the woman.
