ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 31, 2022 – In line with the Labor Month Celebration and the 40th Anniversary of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), OWWA 9 in partnership with DOLE Liloy Satellite turned over a total of P508,118.99 worth cheques to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Associations and OFW dependents on May 19, 2022 at the Municipal Hall Liloy Zamboanga del Norte.

Four OFW Associations from Kalawit, Labason Tampilisan and Salug, received their grant under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-Unlad ng Samahan ng OFWs; 5 OFWs received cheques under the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program; 2 OFW dependents received under the Educational Livelihood Assistance Program; one dependent received under the OFWs Dependent Scholarship Program and 1 OFW under the Disability Benefit.

Ron Lionel Bartolome, OWWA 9 Regional Director with Senior LEO Roque Montano, OIC of DOLE Liloy Satellite Office led the activity. Also present were LGU Liloy Municipal Mayor, Hon. Roberto L. Uy, Jr., LGU Salug Municipal Mayor, Hon. Melodie J. Tolin and LGU Labason PESO Manager Salvador S. Macaambac.

Dir. Bartolome also reminded the beneficiaries, specifically those who received assistance under the Tulong PUSO Program, of their obligations so they can receive the 2nd and 3rd tranches of their approved projects.

Hon. Uy expressed his gratitude to OWWA for all the assistance provided to the OFWs who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The same was echoed by Hon. Tolin, who shared that she also worked as an OFW before. She expressed her gratitude to OWWA for the Tulong Puso grant amounting to a total of 1 Million pesos to her constituents, specifically Bipu OFW Association, which will venture into Piggery and Agrivet business projects.

Elsie Esparaguera, President of Bipu OFW Association, expressed her association to OWWA, DOLE and PESO for facilitating and eventually approving their request,

“Ako at ang aking mga kasama ay nagpapasalamat sa Tulong PUSO Program dahil nabigyan kami ng pag-asa na makapagsimula ng negosyo sa kabila ng pandemya. Pangako namin sa inyo na ito ay magiging matagumpay. (On behalf of the association, I would like to thank the Tulong PUSO Program for giving us the opportunity to start a business despite the pandemic. We promise this project will be a success.)” END/With reports from Joni Sarina Mejico, DOLE LSO