Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 23) — The Department of Labor and Employment vows to provide essential needs like food and medicine to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are affected by the antivirus lockdown in Shanghai, China.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently exerting effort to identify the OFWs who are in need, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III during a public briefing on Saturday.

The labor department noted it is ready to provide financial assistance to the ones identified through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), he added.

As soon as ma-identify natin sila [As soon as weve identified them], upon instruction of DFA, we will give them the usual grant of $200 per OFW, he pointed out.

In a report by CNN Philippines Tristan Nodalo on April 21, Filipinos directly affected by the strict lockdown in Shanghai are appealing for help.

According to the OFWs, a no work, no pay arrangement is being implemented in the said city and mere buying of necessities has become a major dilemma.

Some of them who are jobless and moneyless have asked to be repatriated instead.