MARAGONDON, Cavite, July 21 — A former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) sees government as more engaging, pro-active and more approachable now as various government agencies offer assistance and support as experienced by him and other OFWs.
Retired seaman Teodorico Pagkaliwangan, 57, told PNA in an interview on Friday that he has ventured into farming after spending 27 years of his prime years as motor oil operator for tanker, bulk and passenger vessels overseas.
“Kami ay natatawagan na ngayon para makilahok sa kanilang programa” (They (govt agencies) call us now to participate in their various programs),” disclosed Pagkaliwangan, who retired two years ago and stayed home for good.
He and 32 other OFW returnees from the Calabarzon region are among the beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the “Byaheng Agri-Preneur” program.
DOLE’s “Byaheng Agri-Preneur” program aims to attract returning OFWs and their families to invest in agriculture by providing them access to current know-how and information on agriculture and fisheries, and capability building activities, among others.
The labor department’s National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) provides government intervention programs and assistance to returning OFWs and their families while promoting the farming sector through partnership with the DA’s Agriculture Training Institute (ATI).
Pagkaliwangan and fellow OFW returnees admitted they have high hopes for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte whom they voted for to steer the country.
Asked whether change has indeed arrived, Pagkaliwanagan snappily retorted: “Yes, una sa lahat mas approachable na ang mga kawani ng gobyerno natin ngayon, at mabilis na ang proseso” (Firstly, government employees are more approachable now, with faster processes).
Pagkaliwangan, who now heads the OFW Daine I and II Association in Maragondon, appreciated the various forms of assistance to them such as the “Byaheng Agri-Preneur” capacity training and farm exposures.
To date, he said their OFW Association also receives various assistance from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), DOLE, DA-ATI, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the provincial government of Cavite.
PCA provided their association with seeds and 30 cows for livestock farming while OWWA provides scholarship to their children and livelihood cash assistance for distressed OFWs.
Pagkaliwangan, who is married with a son, said that OWWA is also helping him to avail of disability assistance now that he is partially deaf due to work-related hazards incurred in his previous job.
DTI, through its Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) program, benefits their association with incentives for barangay-based business ventures.
Cavite province through Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla also extends financial and livelihood/capability building training, including feeding and medical assistance programs.
He also lauded efforts of Remulla’s strong campaign for the overall peace and order and disaster preparedness in their barangay. (Gladys Seǹires-Pino/PNA)
