Maraming maraming salamat po sa DOLE-AKAP PROGRAM! I got my share po.. I am glad there is someone who can hug (AKAP) me especially during my hardest days. Thank you so much My Beloved President Rodrigo Duterte..!" (from K.A. Andacao) "Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa POLO Korea at DOLE AKAP sa tulong financial na natanggap namin. Salamat po sa ating mahal na Pangulo Tatay Digong sa pagmamahal nya sa aming mga OFWs. Mabuhay at Pagpalain tayo ng Diyos Ama.." (from Stream Band in Busan) "Salamat po sa natanggap naming $200 DOLE AKAP for each member.. malaking tulong po ito, God bless Pangulong Duterte at sa ating POLO OWWA Korea" -(R.S.Cristobal)

Hundreds of OFWs in Korea extended their appreciation messages to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the timely assistance given to them by the Philippine government through DOLE AKAP to address their loss of employment during this time of COVID-19 pandemic.

The DOLE AKAP is a one-time financial assistance to OFWs who lost their jobs either permanently or temporarily due to COVID-19. The program is spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and administered onsite by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) in the various Foreign Service Posts.

According to Charge d'affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, 397 OFWs were granted USD200.00 each in local currency as financial assistance to those displaced from work. Those most affected (or 70%) were Filipino Overseas Performing Artists (musicians/ singers) whose entertainment venues were ordered suspended by local governments as part of COVID-19 countermeasures. EPS workers, who were involuntarily terminated from work or temporarily stopped from working without pay due to business difficulties from the global pandemic, comprised 24% of DOLE AKAP grantees. The rest were Household Service staff and undocumented workers who were also displaced from their jobs.

The OFW beneficiaries also appreciated the very fast and prompt action taken by the Embassy through POLO OWWA Korea on their application.

"Thank you po sa mabilisang tugon po ng POLO OWWA (AKAP) po ng Philippine Government na recieved ko na po ang 200$ ngayong araw. Pagkasend ko ng application ko wala man lang 1 hr naka received ako ng tawag mula sa POLO at sa loob ng 12hrs ay approved agad. Ganun po kabilis mag process ang POLO KOREA. Thank you po."

"Ang bilis lang po ng proceso basta sundin lang ung mga hinihingi nila. Ang company po namin ay isa sa naapektuhan ng coronavirus due lack of work at decrease ng supply. Salamat po sa bigay nyong tulong it is big help for me and my family. God bless po."

Under the one-country team, CDA de Jesus leads the Embassy and its attached agencies in extending coordinated assistance to Filipinos in Korea who are adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Such assistance includes provision of cash aid to displaced workers under DOLE AKAP, distribution of hygiene, COVID-care kits and food packages through the Filipino communities, support for stranded transiting Filipino passengers in the ports, and 24x7 hotline services to respond to emergency needs and counseling.

"Under the national leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Embassy is one with the Philippine Foreign Service Posts around the world in its commitment to extend every possible assistance to Filipino nationals who are now facing unprecedented employment challenges and health risks brought about by the pandemic in their daily lives," CDA de Jesus said. END