DFA offers P5,000 to OFWs disrupted by Ompong

THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has provided P5,000 worth of cash assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) whose flights were affected by Typhoon Ompong (International name: Mangkhut).

In a statement, the DFA said affected inbound and outbound OFWs can personally claim the cash aid at the DFA Assistance desks in all terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Clark International Airport (CIA) until 10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17.

Requirements for the aid include passport, airline ticket showing original date of departure, reissued airline ticket showing new date of departure, employment contract, and overseas employment certificate.

Other stranded OFWs may file their claims at the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs at the DFA main office in Pasay City and in consular offices nationwide from Sept. 17 to 21.

Meanwhile, the DFA has also advised 227,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong to stay indoors and to defer any planned travels or outdoor activities as typhoon Mangkhut approaches southern China.

The typhoon has slightly weakened after barreling through Northern Philippines over the weekend. However, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has issued the highest typhoon warning, Signal no. 10, in the region last Sunday morning.

As of Sunday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that typhoon Mangkhut packed sustained winds of 145 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 180 kilometers per hour.

Meanwhile, Australia has pledged over $800,000 or P30 million to the Philippines, which is currently experiencing the consequences of Super-Typhoon Ompong.

In a statement on Sunday, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said “Australia is providing $800,000 of humanitarian supplies for the emergency response” for those affected by the Super-Typhoon.

The foreign affairs office added, “Australia has humanitarian experts deployed to the Philippines, including a disaster risk reduction specialist from the Australia Assists program.” —