By Rachel Magday
NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — “The government owes you a deep debt of gratitude, so when you are the ones in need, the government should also be there to help you,” Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito told distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during the awarding of financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration(OWWA) on Wednesday,Jan.14
The distribution, held at the Ammungan Hall of the Provincial Capitol, covered 140 distressed OFWs from various towns in the province. The implementation of the aid distribution was carried out in coordination with the Public Employment Service Division (PESD), headed by Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Dolly Rose C. Minas.
Gambito stressed that OFW remittances sustain and propel the Philippine economy, warning that the country would suffer greatly without these contributions.
He said that recognition of OFWs’ vital role prompted the provincial government to establish an OFW Welfare Center shortly after he assumed office, to assist returning workers and the families they left behind.
He also said he has invited the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to establish a provincial office in Nueva Vizcaya to make its services more accessible to Novo Vizcayano OFWs. The governor likewise urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to set up a consular office in the province.
“We are offering the Provincial Capitol as the site of the offices of the DMW and DFA, we can even shoulder the salaries of the staff who will be assigned,” Gambito said, stressing the provincial government’s willingness to provide space and logistical support to speed up the establishment of the offices.
He said having both agencies represented in Nueva Vizcaya would spare OFWs and their families from traveling to other provinces or Metro Manila to process documents, seek assistance, or follow up cases.
Conchita Maddella of the OWWA regional office said the distressed OFWs received financial assistance amounting to a total of P2.5 million. She said OWWA provided livelihood assistance ranging from P5,000 to P20,000, educational assistance for beneficiaries’ children, and medical and burial assistance worth P20,000 to P100,000 depending on the illness or cause of death.
