Mr. Severiano M. Sumaya of Bacnotan, La Union – one of the affected OFWs whose companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) were affected by the economic downturn from 2016 to 2019 became the first recipient of the Financial Relief Assistance Program (FRAP – KSA) of Region 1 on January 18, 2022, at OWWA Regional Welfare Office 1. He is included in the master list of 30,000 displaced OFWs from KSA arriving from 2016 to 2019 who will receive PHP 10,000.00 financial assistance which they may use to go back into the mainstream of the society while waiting for their pending claims from KSA.

OFW Sumaya expressed his gratitude to OWWA and the government for their unwavering support to OFWs like him, especially during these most difficult times. This program is a great help to me and to my whole family so that we can continue our dreams as an OFW family even if it is difficult due to the threat of COVID-19, we will continue – OFW Sumaya added.

FRAP – KSA was part of the government efforts to extend aid to distressed and displaced OFWs who did not completely integrate with the economic mainstream of the Philippines. These OFWs from KSA have been long waiting for the settlement of their money claims which have been pending in the Saudi court since 2016 which took a toll to the majority of the affected OFWs.

Active or inactive OWWA members are covered provided that the OFW was displaced from employment due to the economic downturn in KSA; was repatriated from KSA to the Philippines from January 2016 to December 2019; are currently in-country and not deployed overseas for re-employment since their return, and the OFW have pending money claims before the Saudi Labor Court or other competent authorities. Furthermore, the next-of-kin (NOK) of deceased covered OFWs may avail of the FRAP.

Qualified applicants may apply and submit the documentary requirements online at frap.owwa.gov.ph and wait for the notification from the OWWA Regional Welfare Office for his or her appointment date and release of the check.

OFWs already with amicable settlements such as those done in the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and who availed of AKAP, TABANG or EASE Programs are excluded from this program.

OWWA – RWO1 assigned a team to ensure the timely delivery of the program to its target recipients.