DOLE to aid family of church volunteer who died

MANILA, Philippines–Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Tuesday assured that the government will provide assistance to the family of Kristel Mae Padasas, the church volunteer who died in Tacloban after the Mass of Pope Francis.

Baldoz said Padasas’ mother, an overseas Filipino worker in Hong Kong, is set to return to the country on Wednesday via a Dragon Air flight.

“The (Department of Labor and Employment), through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, will provide them all the necessary assistance on account of their being an OFW family,” Baldoz said in a statement.

She said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office identified Padasas’ mother as Judy Cleofe Padasas, a domestic worker in Hong Kong for 19 years and an active Owwa member.

The government has designated Kris Furaque, a welfare officer to assist Padasas’ mother.

“In Manila, the Owwa will meet the OFW in the airport to provide her with assistance and psychosocial counseling. It is also sending two officers to visit and condole with the family at Padasas’ wake,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz said Padasas’ mother will be given job referrals (local and overseas employment) or business counseling and financial literacy training if she chooses to engage in business. A business loan between P300,000 to P2 million will also be provided.

Padasas’ mother can also be assisted through the “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” program of the DOLE and Owwa. Under the program, displaced or distressed OFWs can avail themselves of either a small livelihood starter kit worth P7,500 or a livelihood grant assistance of P10,000.

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