OWWA Aids OFW in Bontoc Bus Mishap

Baguio City – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) extended aid to a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Cyprus who was left permanently disabled due to the Bontoc bus tragedy.

OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said the victim, Olivia Aglipay, was given P100,000 assistance for her permanent disability Friday afternoon.

Dimzon said Aglipay is an active member of the OWWA and is entitled to disability claim from injuries arising from the accident.

Aglipay arrived in the country last February 5 after finishing her two-year contract in Cyprus. She was bound for their town in Mountain Province on February 7 when the ill-fated GV Florida bus fell off a ravine claiming the lives of 16 people out of 47 passengers.

Aglipay arrived in the country last February 5 after finishing her two-year contract in Cyprus. She was bound for their town in Mountain Province on February 7 when the ill-fated GV Florida bus fell off a ravine claiming the lives of 16 people out of 47 passengers.

Aglipay, who was hospitalized for more than a month, underwent several operations due to severe spinal injuries and fractures which resulted to her being bedridden.

She is now undergoing physical therapy sessions where the disability assistance will be used for her continuing treatment and medications.

The bus accident victim told OWWA that her savings in Cyprus were all used up during her hospitalization despite a cash grant and coverage of hospitalization by the bus company which, according to her relatives, is not even enough for her other needs and maintenance medicines.

Dimzon added the agency will find means to help distressed OFWs especially their active members and their families.

The OWWA administrator was in this city Friday to attend reception and congratulatory rites for the agency’s scholars.

OWWA regional director Manuela Peña said the agency heeded the advice of police investigators in the accident for government agencies to give assistance to victims. – Solar News, with a report from JM Agreda

source:  SolarNews