Three thousand four hundred thirty (3, 430) Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families residing in Region 9 receive PHP 14,974,060.00 worth of welfare and calamity assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration IX (OWWA 9) for the period of June 2017 to April 2018.

OWWA 9 Head Dr. Hassan GabraT. Jumdain said that the said budget is taken from OWWA's Welfare Assistance Program fund which aimsto give assistance to OWWA members, whether active or inactive, facing any of the following circumstances: those affected calamities such as by super typhoons, magnitude 6 and up earthquake, heavy flooding; bereavement for the family of an OFW who were victims of crimes or accident; disability of a member; medical assistance for OWWA members not covered by the MEDPlus.

For Region 9, OWWA reached out to several municipalities severely hit by Typhoon Vinta among which are Kabasalan in Zamboanga Sibugay, Siocon, Sirawai and Labason in Zamboanga del Norte, and Bayog, Tambulig & Salug in Zamboanga del Sur and gave out cash assistance to affected OFW families.

OWWA also conducted an advocacy of the agency's programs and services to make sure that the members are informed and aware of the existence of the programs.

END/kcg with reports from Fatima Salihuddin