OFW entreps undergo EDT for 2B reintegration
program
By Jean Pearl I. Millones
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 10 (PIA) - As the part of the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA's) promotion of socio-economic
well-being and improvement of income generating livelihood activities to its
members, the office carried out an Entrepreneurship Development Training for
the 2-Billion Reintegration Program; a special loan program of OWWA in
partnership with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) intended to support
enterprise development among OFWs and their families.
After attending the one-day orientation seminar,
which tackled the terms and availment procedures of the program, 39 OFW family
entrepreneurs from the different provinces of Caraga completed the required
two-day Entrepreneurship Development Training conducted by OWWA with the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on September 7-8, 2015 at OWWA Training
Hall.
DTI Senior Trade and Industry Development
Specialist Gemma Clarin discussed the modules, which included the making of a
business plan, budgeting, basic bookkeeping skills and necessary qualities a
successful entrepreneur should possess.
Further, queries and clarifications of the
participants concerning the business and necessary requirements in DTI
registration were raised and addressed. Business plans created by the
participants during the workshop were likewise critiqued and assessed.
Participant Ceasar D. Satilin who is presently
engaged in a falcata plantation intends to expand his venture to keep up with
the fast growing market. Aside from the opportunity of increasing his finances,
he also thanked OWWA for the new learning he acquired from the EDT that would
better arm him in his developing business.
Moreover, qualified borrowers can avail of a
short-term loan, which can be paid within a year, or a term loan, payable based
on the cash flow, but not to exceed seven years inclusive of maximum two years
grace period on the capital. The loanable amount, which is 80 percent of the
total project cost, ranges from a minimum of P300,000.00 up to a maximum of
P2,000,000.00 bears an interest rate of only 7.5 percent per annum fixed for
the duration of the loan.
OWWA Caraga Reintegration Program in-charge Jean
Mary G. Ronquillo added that aside from the EDT certificate, applicants must
also submit the following documentary requirements for verification and
endorsement to the partner bank: Biodata; Statement of Assets and Liabilities;
Barangay Clearance; Residential sketch; Business/ Project Plan; Certificate of
Business Registration from DTI; Mayor’s permit; Income Tax Return for the last
three years, if applicable; Latest interim financial statement, if applicable;
and Collateral (Land Title or Real Estate)
After endorsing the papers to Landbank, a 60-day
verification period shall be expected before the applications are asserted
approved or otherwise. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
GSIS to hold stakeholders dialogue in Surigao City
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 10 (PIA) – The
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has set a “Stakeholders Dialogue” at
the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City at 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on
September 25.
Belen Talita, GSIS Surigao City branch manager,
told Governor Johnny Pimentel in a letter dated August 27, 2015, that “The
dialogue aims to provide an update on the initiatives and reforms undertaken by
GSIS, and to foster closer ties between GSIS and its stakeholders.”
In her opening statement of the same letter the
GSIS branch chief indicated that “As part of its thrust to promote service
responsiveness and transparency, the GSIS Board of Trustees is instituting
consultative meetings with its members and pensioners nationwide.”
Talita also informed that the dialogue would be
conducted, no less, by “President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara and
other GSIS executives.” (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
2,700 evacuees in SurSur receive aid
MANILA, Sept. 10 (PIA) – Around 2,700 people fled
their homes in Surigao del Sur, Eastern Mindanao, in the aftermath of armed
violence last week. To support them, the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) provided relief items on
September 8.
The displaced families, mostly from Lianga and San
Miguel municipalities, took shelter at the provincial sports centre in Tandag
City, where they are finding it difficult to meet their basic needs, having had
to leave everything behind.
“We abandoned our home out of fear,” said
39-year-old Lita Tejero, a mother of eight, from San Agustin municipality.
“Life at the evacuation centre is hard. We rely on aid. The unpredictable
weather is also a concern,” she added.
Working closely together, the ICRC and the PRC
distributed household items, such as jerrycans, blankets and sleeping mats, and
hygiene kits to ease the plight of evacuees. The PRC has also set up a soup
kitchen, serving hot meals to evacuees once a day.
“Armed violence often results in the displacement
of civilians, including women and children. Away from their homes, they must
subsist in fear and uncertainty. We hope that normality will soon return to the
areas allowing the displaced families to go back to their homes,” said Timothy
Yates, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Mindanao.
The ICRC reminds all parties to the armed violence
of the need to respect human life and dignity at all times. Civilians –
regardless of their religion, ethnic group, gender or political beliefs – and
their property must be spared from the violence.
The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent
humanitarian organization whose mandate is to protect and assist people
affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. It has had an
established presence in the Philippines for over 60 years and a permanent
presence in Mindanao since 1986. (ICRC/PIA-Caraga)
