The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced that the financial aid for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the coronavirus pandemic will be given soon.

The cash aid will be coming from the funds which will be released under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) this week.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that the OFWs no longer need to apply for the cash aid program.

“Once we repatriate them, that means they were displaced because of COVID-19. It’s the reason they went home. Therefore, once they arrive here, the financial assistance should easily be given,” Bello said .

International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) Director Alice Visperas said that they have given cash aid for 300,000 OFWs and 200,000 more will be given the financial assistance this week.

The Labor Department adds that apart from the financial grant under AKAP, OFWs infected by the coronavirus disease will also receive a separate financial assistance from the government.