Overseas Workers Welfare Administration(OWWA)

September 20, 2022 Dear Ms. Danica jane ruel Apas, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated Sep 15, 2022 12:22:00 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch for financial assistance intended for OFWs in Hong Kong infected by COVID 19. ALAGANG KABAYAN LABAN SA COVID-19 (Alagang Kabayan Project) ay isang programa ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) para sa mga OWWA Active Members na naging positibo sa COVID-19 virus. We validated your OWWA membership and the OFW Information System does not show any record under your name. However, we shall continuously verify with the POEA and other joint OFW data system to check your membership and employment status.. Your concern on the MOI about the project, the OWWA Alagang Kabayan is available in social media platforms of OWWA or search it at the internet. The Medical Certificate or the HK Department of Health Certificate must stipulate in the document that the patient is symtomatic of the virus. This is a requirement to prove that you are/.was infected by the COVID-19 and therefore OWWA will seek means to assist our active members.who needs the financial assistance of US$200 of its equivalent HK currency to defry expenses while unable to work. Indeed it will take extra effort to secure a Medical Certificate in other countries but not necessarily in Hong Kong since there are government health facilities in every district (similar to the barangay health center in the Philippines). If you contacted the COVID-19 and is a holder of a national ID, then we do not see why you cannot get a Medical Certificate or a Health Certificate from the Ministry. Moreover, your employer can facilitate the medical certificate since all legitimate foreign workers are covered by the health insurance paid by their employer and this is stipulated in the employment contract. Rest assured that we will call the attention of our Welfare Officers at Hong Kong, SAR about the medical certificate as well as your OWWA membership, if any. 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