Families of more than 300 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East from Davao City have received cash assistance from the city government.

Each beneficiary was given P5,000 in financial aid.

However, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) clarified that the assistance is not released immediately upon submission of requirements as applications still need to be processed.

One of the beneficiaries is Robin Sumatra who was supposed to return to Saudi Arabia on April 16, but his trip was canceled due to the ongoing tension in the Middle East.

He said he went back to the Philippines just three days before the conflict escalated in February for a two-month vacation. Now, he is unsure about when he can resume work abroad.

“Nakauli ko mga tulo ka adlaw gyera na unya kung wala pako kauli, edi tanggong ko didto. Unya wala paman ko kabalo kung kanus-a paman magnormal pud ni kay wala man gyud flight padulong didto. So karon, mangayo sa mi og financial assistance kung madawat namo, kung dili pagyud mangita nalang mi og trabaho kung unsay lokal diri sa Davao. Mao nalang among choice ani,” Sumatra said.

Another was Kristina Puli whose daughter, who works in Saudi Arabia for a year now, wants to return home.

“Lisod gani kay wala man gud gi-renew sa iyahang employer ang iyahang IQAMA. Gusto gani kay basin mulala daw ang nahitabo run nga gyera, atleast makagawas daw siya kay naa bayay mga anak nuh,” Puli said.

Up to 308 left-behind families of Davaoeño OFWs received P5,000 each from the city government last week.

CSWDO said the cash assistance aims to support families whose OFW members have been unable to send remittances due to delays or disruptions caused by the ongoing crisis.

“Naga-extend ta og hinabang or aid adtong nga miyembro sa pamilya nga nabilin diri sa Pilipinas nga naglisod, naa sa kapit-os sa sitwasyon tungod kay atong mga OFW nga apektado, delayed ang ilang pagpadala o wala sila nakapadala sa ilang suporta o remittance para sa ilang pamilya,” CSWDO OFWCC Division Head, Gilda Salvaña, said.

The city government said qualified beneficiaries include spouses of OFWs with minor children or children who are still studying.

In cases where the OFW is widowed or legally separated, adult single children may process the application if they are responsible for their siblings.

If the OFW is single, their parents may apply for the cash aid.

For unmarried OWFs, their live-in partners or common-law spouses who care for minor children may also process the application, provided they present an authorization letter from the OFW.

“Base sa mga nagprocess dinhi mao pud to ang atong isubmit nga mga pangalan para sa processing sa atong cash advance. So, kadtong nagprocess adtong gikan sa March 2 kadtong silang April 15,16,17 nakadawat. So kung naa tay 2nd batch, possible mga Mayo napud nato magawas ang atong 2nd batch,” Salvaña added.

Around 857 left-behind families and distressed individuals have sought assistance from the CSWDO, as of this writing.

Among the requirements are a photocopy of a valid ID with a Davao City address, a barangay certification with CSWDO assistance as purpose, and documents from the OFW such as a copy of an active contract, residence ID, iqama or working visa.

Applicants must also bring birth certificates of minor children and an authorization letter from the OFW.