Cash aid prep for OFWs constrained to sell blood for food due to pandemic

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III assigned labor attache of Saudi Arabia to extend help to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who were forced to sell blood to buy food.

Photo credit: sagisag.com

Bello said that the labor attache will check if the said OFW's already received the $200 or P10,000 cash aid from government. The aid are for OFW's who were affected or lost their job because of the pandemic.

"Pinagsabihan ko 'yung aming labor attache, hindi lamang bigyan ng pagkain, hindi lamang bigyan ng toiletries, at hindi lamang bigyan ng medisina -- tingnan din kung mag-qualify sa programa natin na tinatawag na AKAP," (I told our labor attache to not only give them food, toiletries and medicines -- but also check if they are qualified with the government AKAP program.) said Bello.

AKAP is a cash assistance program from Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for our affected OFW's. AKAP stands for "Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong."

On the earlier reports, some OFW's had no choice but to sell their blood in exchange for money and for them to be able to buy food.

But on Bello's initial statements, some OFW's even before the pandemic are already doing it to have extra money for personal needs.

However, because of Bello's statement, OFWs from Saudi Arabia expressed their resentment and dismay.

Bello clarified that its not his intention to displease the OFW who are selling blood for them to have extra money because they are sending their whole salary to their families in the Philippines.

“May kababayan talaga tayo na gusto nila yong kinikita nila doon sa kanilang trabaho, pinapadala nila sa kanilang pamilya. Ngayon, yong para sa mga lakad nila kagaya ng gusto nilang mag-inuman ganoon, gusto nilang may lakad sila, ang ginagawa nila ay nagbebenta na lang sila ng dugo,” (We have kababayans that like to soley send their whole salary for their families only. And for their leisure activities like drinking or other personal stuff, they would sell their blood.) Bello said.

Bello admitted that he went out of line with his remarks about the OFWs. He asked for forgiveness since then.

"...Masyado silang... talagang bayani, biro mo, buong buo nila pinapadala 'yung pera sa pamilya nila. Malaking sakripisyo 'yun," (...They really are true heroes, they send their whole salary for their family. It's a big sacrifice.) Bello added.

Labor Secretary Bello has constantly asked for forgiveness if they were offended of what he said, all he meant was that "OFW's are truly heroes" by doing what they did.