By Rachel Magday

 

NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in coordination with the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya, distributed close to P1 million worth of assistance to 58 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The payout ceremony was held at the Old FTM Building in Bayombong and facilitated with support from the Public Employment Service Division (PESD).

Beneficiaries received various forms of support, including medical and livelihood assistance. The family of a deceased OFW from Aritao was also granted burial and death benefits.

PESD chief Dolly Rose Minas urged distressed OFWs, including those recently repatriated due to tensions in the Middle East, to register at the OFW Welfare Center located at the provincial capitol.
“Registration will help establish a database of OFWs in need, allowing authorities to provide timely and appropriate assistance,” Minas said.

Board Member Flodemonte Gerdan, representing Governor Jose V. Gambito, cited the importance of sustained government intervention for OFWs and disclosed plans of Gov Gambito to establish a One-Stop Shop integrating services of OWWA and the Department of Migrant Workers.

OWWA Regional Director Virsie Tamayao reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to OFW welfare and thanked the provincial government for providing office space that would enhance service delivery in the province.