The Department of Migrant Workers–National Capital Region (DMW-NCR) said its AKSYON Fund (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan) is now ready for disbursement after funds were temporarily prioritized for the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

In DAILY TRIBUNE’s Usapang OFW, DMW-NCR Regional director Atty. Falconi Millar said the AKSYON Fund is normally released twice a week to provide immediate financial assistance to OFWs in distress.

Under the program, qualified beneficiaries may receive P50,000 for distressed OFWs who encounter problems with their employers, P75,000 for critically ill OFWs and P100,000 for families of OFWs who die while working abroad.

The agency said the delay in processing claims was caused by the urgent need to finance repatriation operations.

“Because of the conflict in the eastern region, the DMW had to take immediate action. We prioritized bringing home our fellow Filipinos affected by the war, and the AKSYON Fund was used for their repatriation,” Millar said.

Millar said DMW-NCR currently has a P100 million budget for the AKSYON Fund and emphasized that, under normal circumstances, approved claims are processed immediately.

OFWs may apply at whichever DMW regional office is most convenient, regardless of their home region.