DMW AKSYON Fund: Financial Assistance When an OFW Dies Abroad
The AKSYON Fund is the Philippine government's last-resort safety net when an OFW dies abroad and the employer or insurer fails to cover costs. Established under RA 11641 (Department of Migrant Workers Act), the fund can cover repatriation, local burial, cremation, and immediate financial assistance for the surviving family.
The critical difference between AKSYON and other programs: it can assist both documented and undocumented workers. An expired Iqama or irregular work arrangement does not by itself prevent the family from asking DMW to assess the case; OWWA membership is a separate question.
What the Fund Covers
Repatriation of remains. The fund pays for embalming, casket, air cargo, documentation, and local transport to the family's municipality in the Philippines. For a repatriation from Saudi Arabia, this can run USD 5,000–15,000 — the fund covers the actual cost.
Local burial or cremation. If the family elects local burial in Saudi Arabia (in a designated non-Muslim cemetery) or cremation after repatriation, the fund covers associated costs.
Emergency financial assistance. Up to PHP 100,000 in immediate cash aid for the next of kin to cover urgent expenses — transportation to airports, funeral arrangements, family subsistence during the crisis period.
Airport repatriation team. The DMW-OWWA coordinates a receiving team at the Philippine airport (typically NAIA) that helps clear the remains through Bureau of Quarantine, manages customs paperwork, and arranges onward transport to the family's province.
Who Qualifies
An OFW who dies abroad can be considered for AKSYON assistance, including an undocumented worker. DMW assesses the case. Relevant circumstances include:
- Whether they were documented or undocumented at the time of death
- Their OWWA membership status, which is a separate benefit question
- Whether they were deployed through a licensed agency or went direct-hire
- Whether the Saudi sponsor cooperated or not
The key distinction: AKSYON is a government assistance fund, not OWWA insurance. Eligibility and the amount of help are assessed by DMW for the individual case rather than by an OWWA contribution threshold.
How to Activate the Fund
Step 1: Contact the DMW Central Office.
- Domestic hotline: 1348
- International: +63-2-8722-1144
- Address: Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
The DMW opens a case file and assesses the situation. If the family has already contacted the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh or Consulate in Jeddah, the DMW coordinates with them directly.
Step 2: Submit documentation. The requirements are less rigid than OWWA or SSS:
- Death certificate; keep the Report of Death (ROD) from the Philippine consular post with the case file while the PSA version is pending
- Proof of relationship (PSA-issued marriage or birth certificate)
- DMW intake sheet (completed at the DMW office or regional center)
- Valid government ID of the claimant
Step 3: DMW coordinates the logistics. For repatriation, the DMW works with the embassy, the airline, and the funeral home to arrange cargo booking and customs clearance. The fund is intended to cover approved service costs; confirm payment timing with DMW before signing with a vendor or advancing money.
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Filing Deadline
The claim must be filed within one year of the OFW's arrival in the Philippines (for repatriated remains) or within one year of the death (for cases where the remains were buried locally abroad). Don't wait — file as soon as possible after the death is reported.
AKSYON vs. Other Programs
The AKSYON Fund is not the only source of financial support — it's the safety net when others fail or don't apply. For documented OFWs deployed through agencies, the following programs typically pay larger amounts:
| Program | Who Qualifies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| RA 10022 compulsory insurance | Agency-hired OFWs | USD 10,000–15,000 + repatriation |
| OWWA death benefit | Active OWWA members | PHP 100,000–200,000 + PHP 20,000 |
| SSS death benefit | Members with contributions | Monthly pension or lump sum |
| Saudi employer ESoB | Workers with service time | Varies by salary and tenure |
| GOSI occupational hazards | Work-related deaths | Up to SAR 10,000 |
The AKSYON Fund does not offset or reduce these other benefits. Families should file for everything they qualify for — AKSYON, OWWA, SSS, RA 10022, Pag-IBIG, ESoB, and GOSI can all be claimed simultaneously.
The Philippines–Saudi bereavement guide maps all six financial recovery programs into a single timeline, with filing checklists and a tracker to manage parallel claims.
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