SEVEN Cordillerans recently received livelihood package from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration at the Baguio Convention Center’s (Owwa) program in celebration of 22nd Migrant Workers’ Day.
The award is intended to provide immediate relief to returning OFW members, who lost their jobs because of wars or political conflicts in their host country.
Arnel Briones from Mankayan, Benguet and Eliza Macwes of Tuba were both given a sari-sari store, Oliver Basitan from Irisan, Baguio City received a backyard hog raising package while Mylyn Guevarra from Bakakeng was also granted a home-made baked products livelihood.
Cristina Calatan from Lower Dagsian received an oyster mushroom production livelihood with Jordan Cardenas of Sto. Tomas Proper receiving a sayote production livelihood.
Families of OFWs from all over the region gathered during the weekend in celebration of the Migrants Workers Day pursuant to Republic Act 8042 of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995., which sets policies on overseas employment and higher standards of protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers and their families.
“We give financial assistance, we have scholarship programs for their dependents and continue to improve and add programs and services,” Owwa Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said.
Owwa–Cordillera acting director Evelyn Laranang said an earlier celebration was set in Sabangan, Mt. Province but the weekend celebration was held to accommodate more participants.
Laranang also discussed the Education for Development Scholarship Program offering financial assistance of P60,000 to qualified dependents of active Owwa members and the introduction of the new Owwa membership mobile application, wherein members can register and submit forms, view their profile and the latest employment contracts record, and check membership payments and Owwa programs and services.
Simultaneous with the program are activities like livelihood fair courtesy of the OFW Family Circles, career coaching/counseling by the Public Employment Service Office, medical check-ups/counseling by HAM’s Organics and Investment opportunities in partnership with Prulife UK. (Shaura Elaine Cuyan, UC Intern/SunStar Baguio)