Overseas Workers Welfare Administration(OWWA)

July 10, 2022 Dear Mr. Mark John Keitel Balagot, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated Jul 06, 2022 12:45:24 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch for medical and financial assistance for OFWs infected by COVID-19 while at the workplace. OWWA Verification System shows that you applied online for DOLE-AKAP on April 14, 2020 and financial assistance was released to you by DOLE Region VII. If you were infected by COVID -19 recently while on board, it is made clear in the maritime agreement among Principals and Manning Agencies with the Philippines that they shall cover the medication and hospitalization of their crew. The eFOI is a portal for government agency to explain to the Filipino public the programs and services/benefits that are available and provided, if qualified. Hence, it is expected that requestee must disclose information such as their current employment status, in your case, as a sea-based worker, so we can validate and inform your manning agency to act on your concern. If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing the OWWA- FOI Decision Makers at email: [email protected]. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response and should be made within FIFTEEN (15) calendar days from the date you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within THIRTY (30) calendar days from the date we received your review request. However, if you are still not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011). Thank you. Respectfully, ATTY. EDELYN D. CLAUSTRO Director IV- Administrative and Financial Management Office OWWA-FOI Decision Maker