An overseas Filipino worker died from heart attack while awaiting repatriation at a temporary shelter in Libya, the Department of Labor and Employment said Monday.DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she ordered the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to extend help to the family of the OFW, identified as Jason Balute.
Philippine labor attaché to Libya Melchor Dizon reported that Balute, 25, from Bacacay in Albay, was declared dead on arrival due to heart failure at the Tripoli Medical Center on the morning of June 14.
A DOLE news release said Balute voluntarily sought repatriation from Libya but died at the shelter where he was temporarily staying in Tripoli.
"If verified to be an active OWWA member, Balute, who is still single, is entitled to a life insurance benefit of P100,000 and burial assistance of P20,000," the DOLE said.
Balute was found to be supporting the studies of his younger brother, Jestoney, a first-year criminology student. Baldoz directed OWWA OIC Josefino Torres to make sure Jestoney continues his schooling since Balute had requested the OWWA for scholarship assistance.
The Philippine government has raised Alert Level 3 in Libya due to the deteriorating security condition there. Under the alert level, Filipinos are encouraged to take advantage of the government's repatriation program to leave the country.
Medical checkups
Meanwhile, Baldoz directed Dizon to conduct medical checkups of OFWs who had been admitted to the shelter in Tripoli.
Dizon, in his report to Baldoz, said he, Welfare Officer Lynol Fulgencio, Filipino nurse Necy Macavinta, and Balute's cousin Edwin brought Balute to the Tripoli Medical Center, but he was declared dead by the attending physician.
He said they responded to the call about Balute who was then housed at the Philippine Cooperative Academy of Libya (PCAL).
Investigation showed Balute worked as a millwright at the Alkalid Power Plant operated by Korean conglomerate Hyundai Construction, in Sirte, Libya, 1,000 km from Tripoli.
“He volunteered to be repatriated and went to the POLO on 11 June,” Dizon said. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News
Source: gmanetwork.com/news/story
