THE husband and the three-year-old son of Juanita Limbago, the domestic helper who died while saving her six-year-old ward in Hong Kong last June 11, received checks worth $15,000 (around P645,000) as payment for the insurance coverage under the Compulsory Insurance for Migrant Workers Act (R.A. 10022).

Two checks worth $7,500 each were prepared for beneficiaries, Juanita’s husband Edwin Limbago and her minor son, according to Angel Antonio Buendia, operations manager for migrant workers of the Passenger Accident Management & Insurance Agency, Inc. (PAMI), the private firm that sold the insurance coverage.

Buendia added that the check for the three-year-old Limbago will be placed in a trust fund until the child reaches 18.

PAMI is the management company which markets the insurance program for accredited insurers Philippine Charter Insurance Corp.  and United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp.

The checks were handed to the Limbagos, residents of Bgy. West Rembo in Makati City, in a simple ceremony last June 29 at the central office of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Pasay City and was witnessed by no less than OWWA Administrator Carmencita Dimson.

Also present at the turn-over of checks was Ces Alinea, director for support services for Assist America, the emergency service provider responsible for the repatriation of the remains of Limbago without any expense from the employer.

Representing PAMI were claims manager Manny Palacio and Ortigas branch manager Paolo Buendia.

Under the amended Migrant Workers Law, local employers are required to buy insurance coverage for each departing OFW to cover for any eventuality like repatriation, hospitalization, and some money claims.