KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- Since April 2020, over 10,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Soccsksargen Region were able to avail of the cash aid from the government, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported on Friday.

OWWA 12 Regional Director Marilou Sumalinog told Philippine Information Agency that as of August 20, they already released a total of P107.1 million cash assistance to 10,711 approved and qualified OFW beneficiaries of the DOLE-Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program.

"After a thorough assessment and evaluation of the submitted documents, 10,711 applicants have been approved and endorsed to the Department of Labor and Employment for the disbursement of the financial assistance," Sumalinog said.

The DOLE-AKAP for OFWs is a one-time cash assistance worth P10,000 intended for displaced land-based and sea-based (regular/undocumented) workers, returning workers (Balik Manggagawa) to their jobsites but were stranded in the Philippines due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Qualified applicants may log in to dole-akap.owwa.gov.ph and submit their application form and required documents online.

Sumalinog added that amidst the ongoing pandemic, OWWA continues to provide assistance to OFWs and their families through livelihood, scholarship and other key programs and services.

For more inquiries and concerns, OWWA 12 advised OFWs to contact 09088881303/ 09175721303 or call OWWA 24/7 Hotline 1348. (ORVR/PIA-12)