THE NATIONAL Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) in the Cordillera Administrative Region reported 112 distressed OFWs in the region availed of their program in 2016 and 52 in 2015.
Esmeralda Pocdihon from NRCO-CAR said the program aims to help Cordilleran OFWs who were maltreated and subject of any form of violence particularly in the Middle East.
“Ang main task ay kami ang nagbibigay ng livelihood program para sa mga bumalik na gusto ng mag-settle dito, kasi noong nandoon pa sila sa abroad ay may income pero pagbalik dito ano na ang kanilang gagawin at magiging trabaho kaya nandito tayo para tulungan sila,” Pocdihon said.
Pocdihon said the program covers all documented or undocumented women OFWs with cash assistance funding worth P10,000.
Returning OFWs can avail of two programs; the livelihood development assistance program (LDAP) and the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay which is a start - up livelihood.
OFWs wanting to avail of the program may visit the NRCO office and bring with them their passport, travel documents and medical documents showing infliction of physical injuries as well as other incidence.
Applicants will be evaluated and will be required to submit a project proposal on what kind of assistance they may be provided. Those who have availed of the programs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are not qualified anymore since they need only to choose one program from the two offices.
Aside from the assistance, NRCO has also provided permanent jobs to five teachers in the region in 2015 and eight last year.
Unemployed licensed teachers may visit their provincial labor employment offices so that they will be recommended to the NRCO-CAR for the program.