DELA ROSA PUSHES FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE SO REPATRIATED OFWS CAN BUY MOTORCYCLES FOR DELIVERY SERVICE BUSINESS

SENATOR Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa urged the government agencies concerned in extending assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to provide a viable livelihood for our modern day heroes especially those who were repatriated due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dela Rosa issued the call during a virtual Joint Committee Hearing of the committees on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development; Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship; Economic Affairs; Ways and Means; Foreign Relations; Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies; and Finance on Tuesday last week, August 25, 2020.

Dela Rosa noted that one of the most feasible ways to earn during this time, where various levels of community quarantine are being implemented by the government, is through the motorcycle delivery service.

The pandemic has spurred the increase of motorcycle delivery and courier businesses because the people, mostly staying in their homes to avert the spread of the virus, resort to food and supplies delivery on a daily basis.

"Masaya kasi ako nung sinabi mo (OWWA Administrator Cacdac) na aabot ng P100,000 pataas yung ibibigay ninyo...Marami akong nakausap na mga repatriated na mga OFWs na sabi nila, 'Sir baka mabigyan lang kami ng assistance pangbili ng motorsiklo dahil nga ngayon ang pinaka-in demand na hanap-buhay yun mga Lalamove, mga Food Panda,' gusto nilang sumali sa mga ganoon sana. Ang halaga kasi ng motorsiklo ngayon is P100,000 to P120,000 o P150,000 kaya masaya ako kung mabigyan natin yung mga OFWs natin diyan, para makabili sila ng motor," Dela Rosa said.

During the hearing, the administrator of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Hans Leo Cacdac, revealed that the assistance to be given to the OFWs will be by groups to ensure the success of their chosen nature of business to pursue.

Dela Rosa urged OWWA to explore if the government could extend financial assistance to the repatriated OFWs individually considering that most of the returning Filipino workers are interested to individually purchase a motorbike and join the motorcycle delivery and ride-hailing companies to earn.

"Ako ha, if I have my own way, mag-suggest ako sa inyo na baka pwedeng hanap rin kayo ng paraan na makabigay kayo ng individual (financial assistance). Kahit na ang hingin na lang ninyong requirement yung drivers' license lang kung pwede ba talaga siyang mag-drive ng motor, sigurado ba talaga siyang bibili ng motor para pang-delivery. Kahit na yun lang siguro, ako suggestion ko lang. Ang isang tao kahit na P100,000 to P120,000 makakabili na yan ng motor, yan ang pinaka-in demand ngayon na trabaho eh kumikita talaga sila sa delivery ngayon," Dela Rosa explained.