This is good news! Let us thank the efforts of Francis Oca who heeded the call of the  Roberto Panganiban (now deceased) last September 2007. Without those letters Francis sent to the appropriate government officials, this could have not happened. And without Francis' continued follow-up on his case, I wouldn't be able to pick up the latest. I can still remember my reaction when Francis shared last week to the Filipino online community the sad news about Roberto's demise.

As you are aware of, his death triggered the creation of a petition calling for a true-and-honest service of OWWA to OFWs. It is now live at PetitionOnline - http://www.petitiononline.com/OWWA/petition.html. One of the demands there, as you know, having already signed the petition, is to provide death-and-burial benefits to the family of the late Roberto Panganiban. There is now a need to update the petition, but only after the check is handed over to Roberto's wife. I am sure you will personally follow this up and will let us know.

Thank you, Francis Oca, for your vigilance. I hope that we will all be helping the helpless.

Yours,

Freda Contreras in Kuwait

Francis Oca <francisoca@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Everyone,

Following is a letter from the office of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) advising us that OWWA is ready to pay insurance benefits to the family of the late Roberto Panganiban. Roberto must be happy to see that his call for help bear some fruits for his family . . .

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas is not in charge of looking after the welfare and needs of Overseas Filipino Workers, or temporary migrants. The government agency charged with that tasks is OWWA.

We should thank CFO Chair Dante Ang, and his executive director Ms. Jennifer Gonzales for doing what they can to help Roberto. Let us pray that their kind in government increase.

Kind regards,

-Francis

From: "Commission on Filipinos Overseas" <mieo@cfo.gov.ph>
To: <francisoca@yahoo.com>
CC: <corres@op.gov.ph>
Subject: Roberto Panganiban (Deceased)
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:37:09 +0800

Dear Mr. Oca:

This refers to the case of the late Roberto Panganiban, which was referred to us by the Office of the President in November 2007.

Please be informed that per our coordination with Ms. Lulu Montes of the Insurance and Health Care Benefits Unit of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), they are presently awaiting the Panganiban family’s compliance of standard documentary requirements to avail of the P120,000.00 insurance benefit from OWWA. Moreover, a P5,000.00 check financial assistance issued in November 2007 may also be claimed by his family from the said office.

The family of Mr. Panganiban may coordinate directly to OWWA (c/o Ms. Lulu Montes) at telephone numbers (02) 832-1241; 834-0718; or 891-7732.

Best regards.

JENNIFER O. GONZALES  (Sgd.)

Executive Director 

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francisoca@yahoo.com