Labor attaché Saul De Vries said the Philippine government has started distributing emergency financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers on Saipan and Tinian who were affected by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, with payouts continuing through Saturday, May 30, as long as resources remain available.
De Vries, who is based in Washington, D.C. under the Philippine Embassy and represents the Department of Migrant Workers, said the assistance aims to help Filipino workers recover from the devastation left by the storm in the CNMI.
“We came here to address the needs of our kababayans (countrymen), of our compatriots here in CNMI, particularly on Saipan and Tinian,” De Vries said. “We understand that these are the islands that were really devastated by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.”
The DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration are providing $100 each to eligible overseas Filipino workers. Permanent residents and green card holders are excluded from the program because they fall outside the agency’s jurisdiction.
Distribution started in the afternoon of May 26 at the Beach Garden Hotel in Garapan after delayed flights pushed back the opening schedule. Beginning May 27, distribution hours are from 8am to 6pm, while a separate team is scheduled to travel to Tinian on May 28.
De Vries assured affected workers that assistance would continue while funds last.
“I would like to assure everybody that for as long as we have the resources to distribute, we will distribute them,” he said.
Among the first beneficiaries was Kris Romero, a 40-year-old worker at Pacific Quick Print & Post who has lived on Saipan for 19 years. Romero, who is originally from Cavite, said floodwaters damaged her apartment and ruined several personal belongings and electronics, including her air-conditioning unit.
“This is my first time I got something,” Romero said, adding that she had yet to receive other forms of assistance. “I’m very happy.”
Arnel Carillo, 47, who works for Hydro Mechanical System and has been on Saipan for more than two years, said his home was flooded during the typhoon. Originally from Laguna, Carillo thanked the Philippine government for the aid.
Helen Olbes, a 62-year-old employee of Island Business Systems and Supplies who has lived on Saipan for 25 years, said part of her roof was ripped off during the storm, allowing rainwater to leak into her home and damage personal belongings. Olbes is originally from Manila.
“I just want to thank our government for this initiative to provide financial assistance to us overseas Filipino workers,” Olbes said. “This is a big help, especially now that almost all of us are struggling after this super typhoon.”
Wilma Dellota, 65, who has spent 37 years on Saipan and currently works at Herman’s Modern Bakery, said flooding inside her barracks damaged all her belongings. Dellota is originally from Cabuyao in Laguna province.
Marife Perez, a 35-year-old daycare worker at Golden Harvest International School, said the storm damaged the roof of her home and several personal items. Perez, who is from Batangas and has worked on Saipan for one and a half years, described the assistance as timely.
“We’re very thankful and blessed that our government blessed us with this kind of financial assistance,” Perez said. “It will be very helpful for us because the typhoon Sinlaku hit us very hard here on Saipan.”
Another recipient, Gloria Sabado, 57, an accountant who has lived on Saipan for 40 years, said her home on Saipan was flooded and partially damaged by the storm. Sabado is originally from Batac, Ilocos Norte.
Eydie Uy, who works at Makeover Salon and has been on Saipan for four decades, said his apartment survived the typhoon but his vehicle was heavily flooded and unusable for days. Uy, 68, is originally from Tacloban.
“In a way, it’s a big help for us, especially us that we are the victims of Super Typhoon Sinlaku,” Uy said.
Eduardo B. Palomique, a 62-year-old truck driver at MingYang Supermarket who has lived on Saipan since 1991, said his family’s house lost much of its roof and was flooded during the storm. Palomique, who is originally from Laguna, said the OWWA aid was the first assistance his family had received so far.
“At least we got something. This is big help for us,” Palomique said.
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