Migrant workers rally for living wage and improved working condition

 

50 migrant groups and their supporters were at the salary review dialogue

A big group of foreign domestic workers representing the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body staged a rally this Sunday outside the Labour Department building in Sheung Wan to demand a “living wage” of $6,172 and for their inclusion in beneficial legislations.

PINDUTIN DITO

The rally was held just before the workers and their supporters from various non-governmental organizations like the Mission for Migrant Workers and Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge attended a dialogue called by Labour officials for the annual review of the minimum allowable wage.

These posters sum up the migrant workers' demands

As in previous years, AMCB urged the government to increase the monthly salary of FDWs to make it at par with the minimum wage for all other workers in Hong Kong. At the very least, they said their monthly pay should be enough for them to live on and support their families back home.

Basahin ang detalye!

They also demanded their standard employment contract to stipulate the number of hours they could be obliged to work each day, what exactly is meant by “suitable accommodation” and “decent food” for them.

A rally outside the Labour office in Sheung Wan preceded the dialogue

The FWD groups and their advocates were met by a number of labour officials led by Assistant Commissioner Drew Lai.

It was the first time that the dialogue was scheduled on a Sunday, with Labour saying that it was a good opportunity for many migrant leaders to take part. However, AMCB said the government panel declined to have more than 50 group representatives at the meeting.

Distressed OFW given financial aid, repatriated by MWO

 

The worker who was repatriated with help from MWO

A Filipina domestic worker who was involved in a labor claim case in Hong Kong managed to go home to the Philippines on Aug. 3, with help from the assistance to nationals unit of the Migrant Workers Office.

According to a statement released by the MWO, the Filipina’s flight was delayed slightly, but she still managed to get on board at 7:29pm, and fly home safe and sound.

PINDUTIN DITO

Apart from repatriation assistance, the worker was also given legal help, temporary shelter at the Migrant Workers Resource Centre, and financial aid. No details of her case or the outcome were given.

But earlier, the MWO said the worker was one of nine OFWs who were given financial aid on July 23 through the Department of Migrant Workers’ Aksyon Fund.

Basahin ang detalye!

Eight of the recipients were stricken with cancer and were given Php75,000 each, while the worker involved in a labor case received a total of Php57,132, in financial aid and air fare.

 

More heavy rain forecast as black rainstorm warning raised Saturday

 

Zero visibility: the view from inside a bus at the height of today's heavy downpour 

Sunday will continue to be rainy with a few squally thunderstorms, said the Hong Kong Observatory, but it will not be as heavy as early Saturday, when the black rainstorm was raised for the second time in a week.

The heavy downpour that began overnight continued until early Saturday, prompting the Observatory to raise the black rainstorm warning at 9:45am.

By then, a number of MTR stations had to be closed due to flooding in their vicinity, and a number of ferry sailings were suspended. A number of flights flying in and out of Hong Kong until about noon were also delayed due to the heavy downpour.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The affected MTR stations included Choi Hung, Wong Tai Sin and Sham Shui Po. Among the ferry services that were suspended were those run by Coral Sea Ferry, which connect Sai Wan Ho, Kwun Tong and Sam Ka Tsuen.

All beaches run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department were also fenced off, while the Education Department ordered all afternoon school sessions canceled.

The black rainstorm warning remained in force for two hours, being downgraded to red at 11:45am and to amber at 12:30pm.

Basahin ang detalye!

All rainstorm warning signals were lifted by 4pm though a few scattered showers remained.

"Locally, more than 70 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places in the past couple of hours, and around 100 millimetres of rainfall were even recorded over parts of Kowloon and Tsing Yi," the Observatory said.

As of 11:15 am, four reports of flooding were received by the Drainage Services Department, which immediately deployed emergency response teams to inspect about 240 potential flooding hotspots.

Workers were also sent out with water pumps to clear flooding in some areas particularly the Chai Wan Road roundabout that flooded during another black rainstorm warning last Tuesday.

The Observatory said the weather will remain unsettled in the next few days, with heavy showers and squally thunderstorms at times. The rain will ease off gradually in the middle to latter parts of the week.

 

 

HK battens down as first chikungunya case is reported

 

Travel to affected areas is common cause of chikungunya cases (CHP graphic)

Hong Kong today reported its first case of chikungunya fever in the last six years, prompting a territory-wide alert in which public hospitals will reserve beds for patients and inquire of all persons complaining of symptoms whether they have visited places with confirmed cases, and whether they have been bitten by mosquitoes.

The Hospital Authority said it is taking the imported case of chikungunya fever in Hong Kong very seriously. The last period when the disease entered Hong Kong was from 2016 to 2019, when one to 11 cases were recorded each year, all of them imported.

"The HA Infectious Disease Centre and other public hospitals have reserved beds to receive patients. The HA will maintain loop close communication with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to monitor the situation, and can mobilize more beds and manpower to care for patients when necessary. The HA also has sufficient antipyretic and related medicines to treat patients in need," it added.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health reported that the first case involved a 12-year-old boy with good past health living in Kwun Tong and who travelled to the Mainland recently. 

He developed fever, rash and joint pain since July 31 and sought medical attention from a private doctor on the same day.

Despite the symptoms being mild, he was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital on August 1 due to his recent travel history. The patient is now in stable condition. His blood sample tested positive for CF virus upon laboratory testing.

Initial investigations revealed that the patient travelled to Foshan in Guangdong Province between July 17 and 30, and recalled having been bitten by mosquitoes. Since the patient stayed in Foshan during the whole incubation period, the CHP considers that the patient was infected during travel, and the case was classified as an imported case.

Basahin ang detalye!

His household contacts (including one travel collateral) are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance. The CHP's epidemiological investigations are ongoing and has reported the case to the health authorities of Guangdong.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations and will intensify mosquito prevention and control measures at the residence of the patient, as well as locations visited after the onset of symptoms.

According to the World Health Organization, CF cases have been recorded in more than 110 countries/regions. As of early June this year, over 220 000 cases had been reported in 14 countries/regions worldwide (including the Mainland, Taiwan and Singapore which are popular tourist destinations for Hong Kong citizens). Of these cases, about 80 were fatal, the CHP report said.

Moreover, according to the information from the Foshan health authority, as of July 31 there were over 6 900 cases. The majority of cases (5 972 cases) were in Shunde District. All cases were mild, with no severe or fatal cases.

Confirmed cases were also recorded in other cities in Guangdong Province recently. Macao also had six imported cases and one local case since mid-July.

“CF is not transmitted from person to person, and is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes carrying the CF virus. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites and avoiding mosquito bites are the most effective measures. During the early stage after the onset of symptoms (especially when a fever is present), the blood of patients of CF contains a large amount of virus, which is infectious to mosquitoes. If they are bitten by mosquitoes during the communicable period, further local transmission via mosquitoes is possible. Therefore, avoiding mosquito bites of the patient is an important measure to prevent local transmission," said the Head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the CHP, Dr Albert Au.

Severe or fatal cases caused by CF are rare and the symptoms are milder than that of Dengue Fever, and most patients recover on their own, as local mosquitoes have not carried the CF virus.

Despite this, the Government strives to prevent CF from becoming endemic in Hong Kong, and has adopted multi-pronged emergency preparedness, including strengthening public education and publicity, stepping up control measures at boundary control points, enhancing local testing capabilities, arranging mosquito-free environment for treatments, conducting epidemiological investigations and risk assessments for confirmed cases, intensifying mosquito prevention and control measures.

The FEHD appealed to the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes.

 

16 people arrested in latest anti-illegal work raids in HK

Immigration officers show costumes worn by mainland acrobats who worked illegally at restaurant

A total of 16 people were arrested in a series of territory-wide anti-illegal work operations conducted by the Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police over four days, from July 28 to 31.

Those arrested comprised 15 suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer.

Immigration said 128 target locations were raided, including industrial buildings, residential buildings and restaurants. Nine suspected illegal workers were arrested, comprising seven men and two women, aged 27 to 55. One of the women held a recognizance form, which indicates she has applied against being sent back home.

Basahin ang detalye!

Also arrested was a 54-year-old woman who is suspected of employing the illegal workers.

During a “cyber patrol,” Immigration also found a restaurant offering dance and acrobatic performances by visitors. They immediately launched a sting operation on July 28 and arrested six suspects, all Mainland visitors aged 20 25, while they were performing at the restaurant.

Immigration again warned that anyone who violates a condition of stay shall be guilty of an offence, including visitors who take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, or sets up or joins a business.

Offenders can be jailed for up to two years and fined $50,000. The maximum jail term goes up to three years if the offender is an overstayer, an illegal immigrant, or a non-refoulement applicant.

Employers of illegal workers can be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years, and fined up to $500,000. 

To be held liable, it is not enough that the employer checked the job applicant’s identity card. All employers are required to make further enquiries and ensure that the answers they get would not cast any reasonable doubt as to the lawful employability of the person.

 

  

US Visa consultancy shuttered for illegal recruitment of Pinoy teachers

 

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac leads closure of the Ortigas branch of Visa to America

The Department of Migrant Workers says it has closed down eight offices of Visa to America Manila Inc after they were found to have engaged in illegal recruitment by offering employment in the United States to Filipino teachers without a license.

Simultaneously shut down were Visa to America offices in Pasig City, Cebu City, Lucena City, Iloilo City, Santiago City, Quezon City, Davao City and Zamboanga City.

DMW said a report from a victim indicated the company offered “visa services” for a fee of US$5,400 (or about Php300,000) for a J-1 visa package and US$8,500 (or Php500,000) for an H-1B visa package.

Basahin ang detalye!

But what the company was actually collecting were placement fees for placing teachers for jobs in the US which was not allowed for a visa consultancy firm, said DMW.

Further investigation by the DMW reportedly revealed that Visa to America officers would order their employees to call applicants and pretend to be representatives from American schools conducting interviews, so as to mislead the victims into thinking they were in direct contact with employers.

DMW also said applicants were promised employment through a US-based company with the same name, Visa to America. However, the promises did not specify timelines for deployment abroad, and were often vague and unfulfilled. 

Among the 8 Visa to American offices shut down was this one in Zamboanga

At a press conference that followed the closure, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac emphasized that there was illegal recruitment because the company offered jobs despite not having the required licence from the Department. 

On top of this, the visa consultancy company also charged applicants exorbitant fees.

"Wala ka nang lisensya, nananaga ka pa?," said Secretary Cacdac. (You had the temerity to collect excessive fees when you didn't even have a license).

He said the company had been operating since 2022, and had apparently deployed about 50 applicants who were promised a monthly salary equivalent to Php120,000 - but none of this mattered because it was operating without a license.

The closure came with the order that all Visa to America branches should completely cease operations due to their involvement in illegal recruitment activities.

The company’s officers will be charged with illegal recruitment and added to the DMW’s List of Persons with Derogatory Record, which bars them from engaging in any overseas placement activity.

The DMW is calling on all victims of Visa to America to reach out through their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip to receive free legal assistance and help in filing appropriate complaints against the visa consultancy.

This is the 27^th closure operation conducted by the DMW this year as part of its intensified crackdown on illegal recruiters of aspiring overseas Filipino workers.

 

2 Pinoys plead guilty to indecent assault, theft

 

Building where offense took place (Google Maps photo)

Two Filipinos separately pleaded guilty at Eastern Court today to indecent assault and theft, respectively, but their sentencing was put off.

Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung ordered that J.J. Padua  and Z. Tuzon, both 24 years old, be held in jail for the meantime.

Padua admitted that he committed the indecent assault, punishable under section 122(10 of the Crimes Ordinance with up to 10 years’ imprisonment, on “female X” last Christmas day in a flat on Wood St. in Wanchai.

Basahin ang detalye!

Brief facts of the case read to the court indicated that he met the woman in a Yau Ma Tei gym where he was a rock climbing coach, and they had an “outing” on Christmas eve. They got drunk and ended up in the flat, where he groped the woman’s private parts.

His lawyer, in mitigation, said what could have been a romantic night became a foolish mistake for which Padua was remorseful and had apologized to the woman.

Magistrate Cheung told him, “This is a serious offence. The facts are also serious. You took advantage of the victim.”

But because of Padua’s age, Cheung ordered a probationary report to give him sentencing options. He adjourned the case to Aug. 14.

In the other case, Tuzon pleaded guilty to stealing eight packs of cigarettes from a newsstand outside the Wanchai MTR station last April 30.

However, he pleaded not guilty to stealing a  “Xiaomi” surveillance camera from the same newsstand, prompting Magistrate Cheung to set a one-day trial on Aug. 26.

He also scheduled Tuzon’s sentencng for that date.

Govt sets 2-year residency rule for subsidized tertiary education

 

City University is one of the UGC-funded tertiary schools in Hong Kong (CityU Facebook page)

The government today announced that starting in the 2028-2029 academic year, dependent children of residents (who are non-local talents) must have stayed in Hong Kong for at least two years before they can be eligible for subsidized tertiary education places.

A transition period has been set for the academic year 2027-2028, when dependent students applying for the subsidized places must prove that they have lived in Hong Kong for at least one year.

The new policy also excludes from subsidized tertiary-level education those who have fulltime work or hold a visa or entry permit for various admission schemes. They could still enroll at subsidized tertiary schools, but must pay non-subsidized fees charged to foreigners or non-residents..

Basahin ang detalye!

Currently, those who obtained dependent visa status before they turned 18 years old can apply for the 15,000 undergraduate places funded by the University Grants Committee, which means they get subsidy from the government.

The upcoming change was announced in the wake of complaints that some students who are receiving the government-subsidized places did not come to reside in Hong Kong but only took advantage of the benefit available to those with dependent visa status.

Critics said this unfairly affected the opportunities of locals for university admission and defeated the purpose of the subsidy

"The Education Bureau, having regard to overseas practices and the practical situation in Hong Kong, considers it necessary for dependent children to reside in Hong Kong for two years before becoming eligible for government-subsidised post-secondary student places," a government statement issued today said.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi said the government had looked at similar policies in such places as Singapore and the United Kingdom and considered the views of various stakeholders before deciding on the change.

To qualify for subsidized tertiary school education, a dependent children must have either enrolled as a full-time student in a Hong Kong school for two years before the higher education program begins, or prove that they have not stayed away from the city for more than 90 days in each of those two years.

The residency requirement will be set at one year for the 2027-2028 school year as a transitional move, before the two-year requirement takes full effect for the next academic year.

The Bureau said the policy change is not likely “to have a significant impact on families with genuine intentions to come to Hong Kong for development".

TikTok partners with DMW against online job scams

 

DMW officials and TikTok executives sign the agreement on World Day vs Trafficking

The world’s leading short video platform, TikTok Pte. Ltd has partnered with the Department of Migrant Workers to combat online job scams through stricter content monitoring, and taking down suspicious posts on overseas recruitments of Filipinos.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans J. Cacdac signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TikTok PH Public Policy Head Yves Gonzales during the celebration of World Day Against Trafficking on Wednesday, July 30 at the DMW headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

According to the DMW, the agreement commits to enhancing digital safeguard to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against online illegal recruitment, and to promote user empowerment through information dissemination.

Basahin ang detalye!

The DMW post quoted Secretary Cacdac as saying, “Sa TikTok mas mapapalakas ang ating laban kontra illegal recruitment. (With TikTok we will strengthen our campaign against illegal recruitment). We are being alert, Tiktok is a means in which we fight illegal recruitment, we ensnare the illegal recruiters.”

But the collaboration is not new. Since 2023 the DMW has worked with TikTok Philippines in taking down a total of 41,000 fake job postings and deactivating the user accounts behind the suspicious posts.

This time, DMW and TikTok will also collaborate on the account verification and information dissemination of legitimate and trusted source of information, while banning fraudulent accounts involved in severe or repeated acts of illegal recruitment.

TikTok Philippines has also undertaken to help DMW in its digital investigation and content moderation protocols.

TikTok Public Policy Manager Peachy Paderna who was one of the signatories of the MOU said public safety is their top priority.

Also joining the signing ceremony was DMW Undersecretary for Strategic Communications Service Dominique Rubia-Tutay who warned that while the partnership may fail to close down scammers’ accounts, their fake job posting will surely be taken down.

(Anybody who wants to report a suspicious job recruitment post on TikTok or any social media may send a message to the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons page here:  https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip)

Pinoy jailed 13 months for overstaying 20 years

 

A Filipino who holds a recognizance form to serve as his identity document, was jailed today for 15 months after pleading guity to overstaying his visa for 20 years.

Fidel de Austria Jr., 71 years old, was convicted of breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, by Magistrate Jeffrey Sze in a hearing at the Shatin Court.

De Austria admitted a police charge of overstaying in Hong Kong from Oct. 24, 2000, or two weeks after his visitor’s visa expired, to May 19 this year when he was arrested.

Basahin ang detalye!

His recognizance form identifies him as a torture claimant seeking asylum in the Hong Kong.

In another case heard by Magistrate Sze, a Filipina received a 20-day jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, after she also pleaded guilty to violating her condition of stay by overstaying for one year.

Under the sentence, Marilyn Samuel, 42 years old, will not have to stay in jail if she does not reoffend within the next 18 months.

Samuel admitted staying in Hong Kong after her domestic worker contract was terminated on March 9, 2024.

She was registered to have overstayed between April 27, 2024, when her last visa extension expired, until  she was arrested on June 9 this year.

Arnell Ignacio, 8 others charged with plunder and graft over P1.4 billion land deal

 

Ignacio faces up to life in prison if convicted of plunder

The Department of Migrant Workers announced Tuesday that it has filed plunder and graft charges against former Administrator Arnell Ignacio of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and eight others, including his two former deputies, over an allegedly anomalous purchase of a parcel of land for P1.4 billion.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac made the announcement, saying the filing of charges with the Office of the Ombudsman was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for accountability in public service, which he emphasized in his State of the Nation (SONA) address on Monday.

“With respect to the investigation that we had concerning the P1.4B land acquisition deal at OWWA, we filed a case before the Office of the Ombudsman against the former administrator and two former deputy administrators in relation to the deliberate bypassing of OWWA Board of Trustees under highly questionable circumstances that amount to violations of various laws,” said Cacdac in a press briefing.

Basahin ang detalye!

He said six other people who had sold the land, were also included in the charge sheet.

While Cacdac did not mention the two other former OWWA officials charged with Ignacio, previous media reports identified ex deputy administrator Emma Sinclair as among those being investigated. The other deputy administrator who served under Ignacio was lawyer Honey Quiño.

Cacdac said it was unusual that the OWWA Board was left out on the transaction since the two deputy administrators had been with OWWA for some time and should have been familiar with the agency’s processes.

Ignacio denied any wrongdoing at a press conference in May, after he was sacked

Ignacio was unceremoniously removed as OWWA chief on May 16 this year, and was immediately replaced with former DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne "PY" Caunan.

A few days after his sacking Ignacio spoke out in public to deny any wrongdoing, and said everything that he did was for the benefit of overseas Filipino workers.

The case arose over OWWA’s acquisition of a 1.5-hectare property near Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in September 2024, which was supposedly to be used in building a halfway-house for distressed or displaced OFWs.

DMW said the property was unsuitable for development because it is very close to the airport runway.

The Department also discovered that the land had come with 52 condominium units, which formed part of the property evaluation of Land Bank. This was the reason the selling price had reached Php1.4 billion.

The DMW learned later on that the condominiums were demolished for reasons that were unclear.

Secretary Cacdac also said that OWWA’s board of directors, which he chairs, was not consulted on the land deal, much less asked for approval, as should have been the case. 

Under its charter, the OWWA Board should have authorized the deed of sale for the land, as well as the supplemental agreement subsequently entered into by Ignacio and the sellers.

During the investigation, it was also found out that there were other documents, particularly vouchers and checks related to the land acquisition, that were signed before the sale was finalized. 

“We discovered there were vouchers and checks signed prior to the Deed of Sale. So that’s among the other things that completely bolstered and supported our case. There are few others but this is the biggest that we unearthed at the course of the investigation,” said Cacdac.

He also said the DMW will give updates later on whether they will also file a civil case for damages as a result of the transaction.

PCG witnesses re-installation of Rizal marker on D’Aguilar street

 

Congen Israel (with lanyard) was among those who witnessed the marker's reinstallation

Officers of the Philippine Consulate led by Consul General Romulo Israel attended the re-installation of a commemorative plaque at No 5, D’Aguilar Street in Central where the national hero, Dr. José Rizal, used to have his ophthalmic clinic.

Staff at the Hong Kong Antiquities and Monuments Office Hong Kong led by assistant curator Sam Wu installed a replacement plaque on July 18 after the previous one was taken off during maintenance work on Century Square building.

Basahin ang detalye!

The historical marker, originally installed in 2012, marks the spot of Dr Rizal’s clinic which he ran along with a second one on nearby Duddel Street, when he lived in the city between 1891 and 1892. 

A separate plaque has been placed on Rednaxela Terrace in Mid-Levels, where Dr Rizal had his residence.

The new marker should be able to withstand the test of time better

HKAMO decided to replace the original metal marker with a new one which retains its original content, but is made of polyurethane plastic which can better withstand natural wear and tear or unintended pressure.

Consul General Israel was joined by Vice Consul Alan Revote, head of the cultural section, as well asrepresentatives of Sentro Rizal Hong Kong and Knights of Rizal, in witnessing the installation of the new marker on the exact spot where the main door of the building used to be during Dr Rizal’s stay there more than a century ago.

Apart from the D’Aguilar site, Filipinos and other people interested in Philippine history are encouraged to visit the Rizal markers, as well as the one on Morrison Hill Road Playground in Wan Chai, where the first Philippine flag was sewn.

A marker has also been placed by the Knights of Rizal at the Hong Kong Cemetery in Happy Valley over the grave of Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken, the mother of Rizal’s common-law wife Josephine Bracken.

 

 

 

 

 

Longtime OFW cancer patient among beneficiaries of DMW’s Aksyon Fund

 

Juvy is always happy to take part in activities organized by Bethune House 

For the past seven years, Juvy Abuan Bustamante has lived with breast cancer, although you may not guess it from the way she looks, and her usually sunny disposition.

Juvy, who has worked in Hong Kong as a domestic helper for the past 30 years, is lucky to have an employer who continues to sign her up despite her condition, allowing her to get much-needed medical treatment at a much lower cost.

This is especially crucial now that Juvy has been told that she will have to undergo chemotherapy for life, after her cancer has progressed to stage 4.

But Juvy who is 56 and single, does not let that dominate her mood and outlook. She continues to work when she’s not undergoing chemo every three weeks, and at the same time, help her fellow overseas Filipino workers through the Mission for Migrant Workers as part of her union activities.

Basahin ang detalye!

She also spends time visiting fellow cancer patients who are being supported by the Mission and Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, which have both helped her in the most trying of times, including when she had to undergo mastectomy and had nowhere to go post-surgery. 

MWO HK posted this picture of Aksyon Fund beneficiaries, including Juvy

Last Saturday, she also received financial aid from the Philippine government, through the “Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan” or Aksyon Fund of the Department of Migrant Workers.

The P75,000 she received was part of the second tranche of Aksyon Fund granted to seriously ill and needy OFWs in Hong Kong worth a total of more than Php657,000.

The money was distributed by the Migrant Workers Office to eight OFWs stricken with cancer (breast, colon, cervix and tongue cancer) who each got Php75,000; and  one involved in a labor case, who received Php50,000.00 and PhP7,132.00 for her air fare as part of the Post’s repatriation assistance.

Juvy said she was glad that The SUN had alerted her about the Aksyon Fund, and took her to Social Welfare Attache Rem Marcelino, who ticked off all the documents she needed to bring to get approved for the financial assistance.

Previously, Juvy said she had approached the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to ask for any kind of assistance they could give her, but was dissuaded by the long list of documents  that she was asked to provide.

She is glad that there is now an Aksyon Fund that she could use to pay the token amounts she is charged each time she goes to the hospital for her treatments.

“Salamat at nabibigyan na ng financial support ang mga katulad kong may sakit na malubha, dahil sa tingin ko ay may obligasyon naman talaga ang gobyerno na tumulong dahil sa mga naibayad na namin magmula ang lumabas kami sa Pilipinas,” said Juvy. (Grateful because those who are seriously ill like me are already getting help, because to my mind, I think the government has the obligation to help us because of the amount of money we have contributed since we left the Philippines).

She was particularly grateful to Marcelino who went out of her way to ensure she was only asked for documents that were absolutely necessary to prove her medical condition.

On Marcelino’s advice, Juvy said she would follow up on the progress of a separate application for medical help that she had filed with OWWA.

Armed with what she learned from working on her Aksyon Fund and OWWA applications, Juvy said she should now be able to help fellow OFWs who are struggling to pay their medical bills while trying to hold on to their jobs - and sanity.

According to MWO Hong Kong, the Akyon Fund is in line with “the commitment of DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac to provide immediate and effective relief to OFWs in distress, ensuring their safety, security, and well-being.

Officer-in-Charge Antonio R. Villafuerte led the release of funds assisted by Assistant Labor Attaché Nemesia Karen E. Arlan, Attache Marcelino and staff Rio Abegail T. Villonez.

The Aksyon Fund is also available for those who need assistance with their legal cases, repatriation of OFW remains, and other similar interventions to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs.

Those who are in need of such help may visit the MWO office on the 29^th floor of United Centre in Admiralty so they can be guided with their application.