On average, there are 20 destructive typhoons every year that can cause floods, landslides, and diseases. Not only that, the Philippines is also prone to earthquakes, forest fires, and other natural calamity. All these disastrous calamities can happen in just a year and experiencing them is horrifying. So, imagine the feelings of our OFWs who live far from their families who were affected by this. It is unsettling knowing that your loved ones are suffering and you can’t do anything to help.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) launched another project to provide safe and efficient transportation during calamities. This is called the OWWA AYOS Trucks which stands for At Your Sevice Trucks. To give a smoother and faster service, the Ayos Trucks are modernized 10-wheeler trucks with high-speed internet connection that will help them communicate, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area to make sure to provide basic needs and temporary relief for OFWs.
The OWWA AYOS Trucks was designed under the supervision of OWWA Administrator Arnel A. Ignacio and in partnership with the Sojitz Fuzo Philippines Corporation (SFP) and Alpine Motors Corporations (AMC) in hopes of assisting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in times of distress.
“This collaboration embodies our commitment and efforts to empower overseas Filipino workers and ensure their safety and support. Thank you, OWWA, for your hard work and drive to this crucial endeavor. The turnover of our vehicles signifies our responsibility to provide reliable and durable products to your organization. We hope these FJ units make a substantial contribution to your organization, elevating daily operations to a new level of efficiency as well.” said Mr. Yosuke Nishi, SFP President & CEO. As of writing, there are three (3) OWWA AYOS Trucks handed to OWWA. These trucks will be the pioneers in providing top-of-the-line relief assistance on wheels in the Philippines that supports Filipino workers and their families.
Features, Benefits, and Purposes of OWWA AYOS Truck Services
The 10-wheeler AYOS Truck has a solid in-lide six 6.4 liter turbocharged diesel engine that will help in running through rough and flooded roads. The trucks have the following features that will help them provide better service.
- 850 Nm of Torque and 235 hp power
- Reverse Elliot axles on the front
- fully -floating axle or rear
- Semi-elliptic suspension system with auxiliary springs on the front
- Semi-elliptic with auxiliary springs on the rear
The AYOS Trucks will also bring comfort and assurance to OFWs and their families as these trucks are equipped with these amenities and services
- Wi-Fi connection – The internet connection will help them stay connected and communicate with other government agencies.
- Emergency lights – They provide light to remote areas or places where electricity has been cut off.
- Wide LED screen – The screen will show announcements and updates.
- Clinic – professional respondent that will help OFWs and families with their medical needs.
- Sound system – This will help broadcast announcements so everyone can hear.
- Generator – In case of a power outage, this will provide electricity that will run the amenities of the truck.
- Bathroom – OFWs and their families can take a shower with hot or cold water.
- Collapsible stage – This stage can easily be set up and used as a stage.
- CCTV – The truck’s activities are also being monitored by the CCTV to prevent crime and misuse.
- Sleeping Area – There are available beds for OFWs who want to take a rest.
The main purpose of the AYOS Truck is to help and serve OFWs and their family. To bring them to safety and provide them with excellent service. Here is the list of objectives that OWWA AYOS Truck wanted to achieve in this project.
- To give a fast and efficient emergency response that concerns OFWs and their families.
- To guarantee stable communication between OFWs, their family, and the OWWA.
- To provide on-the-spot medical assistance during the calamity.
- To put up a temporary shelter where families of the OFWs can rest and sleep.
- To accommodate basic needs such as a clean bathroom to take a shower.
- To provide and disseminate important information.
- To provide electrical supplies in case of a power outage.
- To prepare and serve free meals to the victims of calamities.
How to avail of OWWA AYOS Truck Service?
The OWWA AYOS Truck Service was created to provide immediate assistance to OFWs and their families in case of emergency. They are stationed in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao covering all OFWs that live all over the Philippines especially those who live in a disaster-prone area.
The service is relatively new and still in progress. There are still a lot of processes to polish but if you or your family require an OWWA AYOS Truck, you can contact the OWWA Regional Offices (RWOs) and ask for help. You can check this link and look for the OWWA RWO near you: https://owwa.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RWOs-Directory-as-of-08262022-2.pdf
Video: OWWA Ayos Truck Clip
Watch this quick walkthrough of the OWWA AYOS Truck with OWWA Administrator Arnel A. Ignacio by OWWAMEMBER. This will give you an idea of what to expect in the truck and how effective it will be once it is in use.
Summary
The OWWA AYOS Truck’s purpose is to provide fast and efficient relief assistance to OFWs and their families in case of calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, and other calamities that may fall upon us Filipinos. Equipping it with high-tech and multi-functional amenities will ensure the safety of Filipinos and will bring peace of mind to our loved ones who live far away. It will give our OFWs the sense of assurance that even if they are not physically present with their families, there is a government agency that they can depend on and there is a service that will help their family.
The OWWA Administrator Arnel A. Ignacio wanted to put a little ray of hope to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in times of distress. These trucks will be the first state-of-the-art vehicles that save lives and hopefully, in the future, these can save hundreds.