GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has released around PHP26.7 million in livelihood assistance in the last seven months to distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Region 12 or Soccsksargen.
Marlyn Jamero, officer-in-charge of OWWA-Region 12, said Wednesday the cash livelihood grants were directly received by returning OFWs, who qualified for the “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” program.
From January to July, Jamero said the program already assisted a total of 1,337 distressed overseas workers from various parts of Region 12.
Each of the OFW received financial grants of PHP20,000, as well as other support assistance from the agency and its partners, she said.
“We also provide entrepreneurship development training and other services intended to provide immediate relief to returning distressed or displaced member-OFWs,” she said.
Jamero said the financial assistance is primarily aimed at providing returning OFWs the opportunity to embark on livelihood projects that could eventually become stable sources of income.
She said the agency has been assisting the beneficiaries to ensure the proper use of their resources and “become the best entrepreneurs and better citizens of the country.”
She said the qualified beneficiaries are returning OWWA-member OFWs, who were displaced by hostilities, wars, policy reforms by host governments; and victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking.
Jamero said the assistance may also be availed of by OFWs beset with financial difficulties due to economic conditions. She said OFWs may reach their hotline numbers or transact with assigned personnel at their regional office in Koronadal City for assistance. (PNA)
