DMW-DO-01-2025 — GUIDELINES FOR THE PROVISION OF IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF BALIKBAYAN BOX SCAM THROUGH THE AGARANG KALINGA AT SAKLOLO PARA SA MGA OFWs NA NANGANGAILANGAN (AKSYON) FUND

Department ot Aliarant Workers Republic of the Philippines

Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong City 1550 Ne sedbarkadr aov.nh lHotiine 8722 1152,8722 1155,8822 1159,8724 3665 GONG PILIPINA

DEPARTMENT ORDER.NO. 0 1

Series of 2025

GUIDELINES FOR THE PROVISION OF IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

TO VICTIMS OF BALIKBAYAN BOX SCAM THROUGH THE AGARANG KALINGA AT SAKLOLO PARA SA MGA OFWs NA NANGANGAILANGAN

(AKSYON)FUND

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2 of Republic Act No. 11641 otherwise known as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Act, the DMW is mandated to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families by ensuring the provision of timely and responsive services to address their needs;

WHEREAS, Section 14 of the aforementioned Act established the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund tol provide legal, medical, financial and other forms of assistance to OFWs;

WHEREAs, mechanisms to carry out the assistance to OFWs were set through Department Order No. 04, Series of 2023 or the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Agarang Kalingan at Saklolo para sa mga OFw na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund, and Department Order No. 05, Series of 2023 or the Enhanced Guidelines for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Overseas

sa mga OFW Na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund; Filipino Workers in Distressed Situations Under the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo Para

OFWs becoming victims of balikbayan box scams, including the loss of, abandonment, or extraordinary delay in the delivery of said balikbayan boxes; WHEREAs, the Department has received a significant number of reports of

Technical Working Group to ensure the timely and responsive provision of services WHEREAS, DMW Administrative Order No. 47, Series of 2025 constituted a

to the victims of the balikbayan boxes scam, including the processing and provision of assistance to the victims;

among OFWs caused by fraudulent activities of unscrupulous international freight forwarders and their local counterparts in the shipment of balikbayan boxes, these WHEREFORE, to alleviate the impact of economic and emotional distress

guidelines for the provision of immediate financial assistance to affected OFWs are hereby issued with the following prescribed procedures:

DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS Administrative Servic

enerat Services Divisic RECEIVED By:RICHIE M.GUEVARRA CONTROLLED AND DISSEMINATED Date: April 15,2025 Time: 05:00 P.M. By: DMW General Services Division on April 15, 2025

Coverage

A. Victims' Assistance

The assistance shall be in the form of financial assistance granted to OFWs

one-time financial aid in the amount of Thirty Thousand Pesos (Php30,000) upon who are victims of the balikbayan box scam. The qualified recipient shall receive a submission of complete and compliant documentary reguirements.

Office, at the option of the applicant-OFW. Bank charges or costs shall be charged bank transfer, to be facilitated by the DMW Regional Office or Migrant Workers against the AKSYON Fund. The mode of payment of the financial assistance shall be in cash or through

B. Qualified OFWs

In addition to the documentary reguirements, and in order to ensure qualification, applicant-OFWs shall be matched to lists provided by the Bureau of

reporting the loss of, abandonment, or extraordinary delay of an OFW's balikbayan Customs, the Department of Trade and Industry, or any other government office.

box(es). Abandonment, loss of, or extraordinary delay in the delivery of the balikbayan box shall be reckoned from the date of pick-up of the cargo or box.

C. Administrative Costs

Administrative costs, charged against the AKsYON Fund, shall cover expenses, if any, to support the implementation of the financial assistance to OFWs in accordance with these Guidelines.

II. Documentary Requirements

The following documents shall be submitted by the applicant-OFW to the DMW Regional Office or Migrant Workers Office:

1. Accomplished Request for Financial Assistance Form for victims of the

2. Sworn Statement of the balikbayan box scam victim (Annex B): balikbayan box scam (Annex A);

3. 4. Proof that the OFW is a sender or consignor of a balikbayan box(es) (e.g. Copy of Passport information page;

5. Active Account Number (if through bank transfer); bill of lading, waybill, receipt, etc.);

2 CONTROLLED AND DISSEMINATED By:DMW General Services Division on April 15,2025

III. Processing of Requests for Assistance

DMW Regional Offices or Migrant Workers Offices shall process and evaluate applications, including the matching of applicant-OFWs to lists provided. They shall promptly recommend and facilitate the release of the financial assistance to the victims, upon submission of complete and compliant documentary requirements, subject to the approval of the Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services.

IV. Monitoring

The Chairperson of the Technical Working Group on the Balikbayan Boxes Scam (TWG), through the TWG OFW Victims' Assistance Committee, shall submit monthly reports on the number of beneficiaries to the Secretary, and copy furnished the Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services, and the Undersecretary for Finance and Internal Management.

V.Evaluation

Within a period of six (6) months after the effectivity of this Order, an evaluation of the provision of financial assistance shall be conducted by the TwG to determine the effectiveness of the assistance project, and the TWG shall recommend whether or not there is still a need to continue or discontinue the provision of financial assistance.

VI.Budgetary Requirements

Funds for implementation shall be sourced from the AKSYON Fund subject to the usual budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.

VII. Effectivity

This Order shall take effect retroactively on the 2nd day of January 2025 and shall apply suppletorily to the provisions of Department Order Nos. 04 & 05, Series of 2023.

HANS LEO'J.CACDAC Secretary

APR 15 2025_,Mandaluyong City

CONTROLLED ARD DISSEMINATED By: DMW General Services Division on April 15, 2025

ANNEX A

Republic of the Philippines

Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong City 1501 Pepartment ot Aligrant Morkers

ASSISTANCE TO NATIONALS (ATN) REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FORM

Date (Petsa):

A. IMPORMASYON NG PILIPINONG NASA IBANG BANSA AT NANGANGAILANGAN NG TULONG

Pangalan ng OFW :

Birthdate:

Sex (Kasarian): Male/Lalaki Female/Babae

Passport No.:

Address sa abroad:

Contact No/s. Mobile/Phone No.:

B. IMPORMASYON NG HUMIHINGI NG TULONG Pangalan: Relasyon sa OFW:

Contact/Mobile No: Contact Nols.

Address: C. KINAROROONAN NG OFW:

] With Someone Other Than Employer ] Detained/Jailed 1 Mortuary ] Unknown MWO Custody

D.URLNG TULONG NA HINIHINGI (Paki-check)

LEGAL ASSISTANCE REPATRIATION ASSISTANCE

Detained OFW Airfare to the Philippines up to final destination

LABOR-RELATED SERVICES Legal Services of Counsel/Lawyer Immigration Concern/s Jail Visitation and/or Court Hearing Court Penalties and Charges WELFARE ASSISTANCE Funeral and burial assistance Medical Repatriation Exit visa and payment of immigration penalties Shipment of Remains and personal belongings

Employment-related complaints Medical referrals and hospital visitation Illegal recruitment or human trafficking Non-performance of family obligations End-of-service benefits, insurance, money claims Location of whereabouts and ascertaining condition of OFW SHELTER ASSISTANCE Custody of run-away cases

Temporary Accommodation Counseling

OTHERS: Reintegration training Food and transportation assistance Counseling Please specify below EMERGENCY RESPONSE Rescue Medical assistance Compassionate visit of next of kin Food, shelter, and transportation assistance

BALIKBAYAN BOX SCAM Financial assistance

E. MAIKLING SALAYSAY TUNGKOL SA HINIHINGING TULONG:

I hereby certify that the above information/narration are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Further, I hereby allow, authorize. and give consent to the Department of Migrant Workers and its authorized representatives to collect and process all personal data and information, provided herein and in relation thereto, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 (the Data Privacy Act of 2012), and relevant iaws, rules and regulations. (Sa pamamagitan nito, pinatutunayan ko na ang impormasyon/salaysay sa itaas ay totoo at tama sa abot ng aking kaalaman. Dagdag pa rito, pinahihintulutan ko ang Department of Migrant Workers at ang mga awtorisadong kinatawan nito na kolektahin at iproseso ang Iahat ng personal na data at impormasyon, na ibinigay dito at kaugnay nito, alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 10173 (ang Data Privacy Act of 2012), at mga nauugnay na batas, tuntunin at regulasyon.)

Signature of person seeking help I Lagda ng Humihingi ng Tulong

ANNEX B

AFFIDAVIT (FOR BALIKBAYAN BOX SCAM VICTIM)

I[ currently residing at having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, do hereby depose and state: name of consignor/sender ], of legal age, single/married, Filipino citizen and after

1.That I have sent BALIKBAYAN BOX to [ name of consigneelrecipient

with delivery address at [ delivery address 1

2. That the BALIKBAYAN BOX including its contents, has an estimated value of

date estimated amount ] issued by[ ], and is covered by receipt name of courierlforwarder receipt number I dated

3. That my BALIKBAYAN BOX has not yet reached the intended destination/ delivery address;

4. That I have inquired and made demands with [. regarding my BALIKBAYAN BOX, but I have not received any clear or satisfactory explanation regarding its location or delivery status; name of courier/forwarder

5. That I am requesting assistance from the government of the Philippines, including the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Overseas

Workers Welfare Administration, the Bureau of Customs, and any other relevant government agency, in locating, delivering, and resolving the matter of my BALIKBAYAN BOX, pursuant to relevant provisions of law;

6. That attached to this affidavit is my Assistance to National (ATN) request for assistance

form, including a Salaysay detailing the circumstances and background of my request for assistance:

7. That I am executing this affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and for

whatever legal purpose it may serve.

IN WITNEss HEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and affix my signature this

at

(AFFIANT'S SIGNATURE OVER PRINTED NAME)

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this the affiant exhibiting his/her valid passport / valid C

proof of identification, copy of which is attached.

ADMINISTERING OFFICER