DOLE Assures Assistance to Family of Tacloban Volunteer Who Died During Papal Visit

(PIA) — Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz assured the family of 27-year old Kristel Padasas, whose mother is an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Hong Kong, that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), will provide them all the necessary assistance on account of their being an OFW family.

Padasas, a Catholic Relief Services volunteer, died when she was hit by a steel scaffolding-mounted audio equipment, a speaker, that fell due to heavy rain and strong winds spawned by Typhoon Amang during the visit of Pope Francis in Tacloban on Saturday.

Judy Cleofe Padasas, Kristel Padasas’ mother as Judy Cleofe Padasas has been working as a domestic worker in Hong Kong for 19 years. She is an active OWWA member.

Thus, DOLE said OFW Padasas is entitled to such benefits as job referrals (local and overseas employment) if she decides to stay in the country for good and pursue wage employment, and business counseling and financial literacy training if she choose to engage in business.

Further, if she opts for the latter, she can avail of a business loan from the P2-billion loan facility of the OWWA being implemented in cooperation with the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, where a member or her/his legal dependent can avail of between P300,000 to P2 million to finance a business. She can also avail of the Balik-Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay program of the DOLE and the OWWA, under which displaced or distressed OFWs can avail of either a grant of small livelihood starter kit worth P7,500 or a livelihood grant assistance of P10,000. (dole.gov.ph)