Financial literacy training given to 83 displaced
Caraganon OFWs
By Jean Pearl I. Millones
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 1 – The Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) Caraga conducted a free entrepreneurial training on
Financial Literacy to 83 distressed and displaced Caraganon overseas workers on
November 13, 2017 at the OWWA Training hall, this city.
The training was given to jumpstart the
reintegration package provided by the agency to OWWA members, active or
non-active, whose contracts were pre-terminated due to various adversities
during their employment abroad.
The training included an orientation of the
program’s goal, which is essentially to enable the beneficiaries to be
multi-skilled through access to training services and eventually arm them in pursuing
a livelihood endeavor while in the country.
The participants were taught how to prepare a
business plan which will serve as the beneficiaries’ guide during the
implementation of their chosen trade undertaking. Overseas Workers Welfare
Officer II Jean Mary Ronquillo-Ladion, focal person for the program, carried
out the said training.
The Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program was
previously a non-cash assistance in the form of starter kits amounting to
P10,000. With the currently enhanced program, the livelihood package is
increased to P20,000. Cash grant is given as a start-up or additional capital
for their chosen livelihood project.
To ensure that the livelihood projects are feasible
and are duly implemented, an inspection of the project site or address will be
done prior the release. A follow-up monitoring will be done a month after the
release and will be constantly monitored every six months.
Since the program’s amendment in May 2017, the
agency has already released a total of 235 grants translating to P4,700,000 to
date.
Among the required documents needed to apply for
the program are the duly filled-up Application Form, Certificate of
Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT), Business Plan/Proposal approved by
the RWO Director indicating the sustainability/feasibility of the chosen
livelihood undertaking and proof of repatriation.
The program can be availed only once by eligible
beneficiaries and must be filed within three years upon return to the country.
More so, OWWA members who have finished their
contracts are not eligible to this program.
For further information and/or queries regarding
the program, you may visit OWWA Regional Welfare Office Caraga located at Nimfa
Tiu Bldg.2, J. Rosales Ave., Butuan City or contact us at (085)
342-6178/815-1894. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur town former rebels participate in vegetables,
organic fertilizer production training
LA PAZ, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 1 – Some 30 former
rebels (FRs) participated in a two-day Vegetable and Organic Fertilizer
Production Training held at the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (MDRRMC) Building, Poblacion, La Paz, this province.
Said event was spearheaded by the 401st Infantry
Brigade and the 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB), in collaboration with the local
government unit (LGU) of La Paz, Agusan del Sur and Provincial Social Welfare
and Development Office (PSWDO).
Terso Gomez, Municipal Administrator of La Paz, led
the opening ceremony of the two-day livelihood seminar, together with 2Lt Bryan
Villena (SC) PA, Company Commander, Bravo Company of 26IB.
The said activity aimed to capacitate the FRs for
their personal improvement, provide them with knowledge and skills for
livelihood and prepare them for a smooth transition as peaceful and productive
members of the community.
“I am very thankful to all the stakeholders who
helped facilitate this kind of activity because I am aiming to operate
livelihood programs like this and help all human form in my community to become
productive,” said Mayor Ambrosio Lim in his message.
Meanwhile, LTC Rommel Pagayon, Commanding Officer
of 26IB, expressed his gratitude to the LGU of La Paz, Agusan del Sur and to
all stakeholders for making the 26th Infantry Battalion as one of the LGU
partners.
“The 26IB is always ready to work with the local
government units of Agusan and other agencies in all activities aimed towards
peace, security and development,” he added. (401st Brigade, Phil.
Army/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Village, LGU officials distribute relief goods to
SurSur evacuees
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 1 – The Municipal
Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) of Lianga, and barangay officials of
Brgy. Buhisan, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur distributed relief packs on
November 30, 2017 to the evacuees in KM9, Diatagon in Lianga town.
The distribution of relief goods to the 214
families from Brgy. Diatagon and 68 families from Brgy. Buhisan was part of the
agreement between the military and the local government unit (LGU) of the two
municipalities that they shall take the responsibility in managing the
evacuees, to make sure that enough support is given to the affected families.
During the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC)
meeting in Lianga on November 26, 2017, it was agreed that all relief goods
intended for the evacuees shall be course through the MSWDO of Lianga in order
to prevent any organization or personalities from exploiting and coercing our
Lumads to go against the government. Further, outsiders were discouraged to go
to KM9 and Sitio Somiwao for their own safety due to the prevailing security
operations in the area.
Those who have business in the said areas were
advised to ask clearance from the LGU to ensure their safety and security.
Some residents of Diatagon, Lianga and Brgy.
Buhisan, San Agustin evacuated in KM9 Diatagon due to the influence of some
leaders of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood
Development (ALCADEV) and Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS)
despite the constant information provided by the LGU and 401st Brigade that the
security operation conducted by the military is far from their communities.
The security operation resulted in an encounter on
November 28, 2017 between elements of the 75th Infantry Battalion, Philippine
Army and the communist terrorist that left two terrorists dead identified only
as aka ‘Urbano,’ a bomb expert of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee
(NEMRC) and his staff aka Abdul.
The LGU of San Agustin and Lianga, all of Surigao
Del Sur, assured the public that they will provide the necessary support to the
evacuees. They will continue to convince the evacuees to return to their
respective homes since the military’s security operation is far from their
communities.
In a statement, 401st Brigade Commander Col. Andres
Centino once again assured the people of Lianga and San Agustin that despite
the on-going security operations, there is no reason for the residents to
evacuate since the area of operations is distant from their communities. He
also assured the local leaders that the soldiers are trained, disciplined and
have sworn to respect the rights of the people and protect their communities.
(401st Brigade, PA/PIA-Caraga)
