OWWA CARAGA RELEASES P8.58M LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), through its Regional Welfare Offices, released PhP8.58 million livelihood assistance under the “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” (BPBH) Program to the distressed and displaced OFW returnees in the region for the entire period of year 2021.

A total of 476 eligible beneficiaries were granted with the said assistance after a thorough evaluation process based on the program guidelines. The provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur have the highest number of recipients both accounting for 112 recipients, 96 from Agusan del Norte, 83 from Agusan del Sur, 69 from Butuan, and 4 recipients from the Province of Dinagat Islands.

Under the amended guidelines of BPBH, the financial assistance shall vary on the membership status of the OFW applicant; a livelihood assistance grant in a form of cheque worth PhP20,000 for active member-OFWs, PhP10,000 for non-active memberOFWs with more than one contribution and PhP5,000 for non-active member-OFWs with one contribution.

Eligible beneficiaries of the program are those who were displaced by hostilities or wars or political conflicts, policy reforms or changes by host governments; victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking or other distressful situations; those who are at the distressed wards at the Migrant Workers

and Overseas Filipino Resource Centers who are due for repatriation. They are entitled to receive a package of livelihood assistance grant in a form of cheque, Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT), and other access to capability building training to broaden their knowledge in honing their entrepreneurial skills.

Apart from the livelihood assistance for the distressed and displaced OFW returnees, a loan facility, which is on a collateral basis, is also available for OFWs who want to engage in business enterprise in either start-up or additional capital for an existing business venture. The business loan program is in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines that determines and provides the amount of loan grant, which offers lower interest rates. Meanwhile, OWWA shall provide the training on business enterprise under this partnership.

BPBH is one of the core programs of the agency, and it is expected to provide constant services to the qualified applicants even amidst the pandemic crisis. Last February 4, 2022, OWWA Caraga conducted a webinar on EDT via Zoom to 34 distressed OFW participants. This online training aims to equip the OFWs with the necessary information and skills prior to their business undertakings. As per BPBH monitoring unit, the majority of the applicants in Caraga opt for ventures in merchandising and agricultural business. Since it has been observed that e-commerce is changing the course of entrepreneurship, some applicants emerged their business to online platforms.

For non-members or undocumented Filipino migrant workers, corresponding assistance is provided by the National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO) Caraga. Their program varies from counseling, job search assistance, enterprise development, skills training and capability enhancement and assistance to distressed OFWs.

To know more information about the Livelihood Assistance Program, interested applicants may visit OWWA Caraga located at Nimfa Tiu Bldg. II, J.P. Rosales Ave., Butuan City, or contact the hotline numbers 09503057533/ 09551884858/ 09123289262. (OWWACaraga/PIA-Caraga)

DOT Caraga to launch official tagline

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga is now ready to officially launch the tagline under the new normal, “Caraga Na” on February 16-18, 2022 at SM City Butuan.

“Caraga Na” is a callto-action for a more proactive campaign for domestic tourism. It is a neologism of the word “gana” which means nice, great and can be defined as appetizing in local dialect.

According to DOTCaraga regional director Nelia Arina, the new tagline is an invitation to all tourists to visit and explore what Caraga has to offer - from its mountainous terrain,crystal clear waters, breathtaking landscapes and various adventures that are sure to give adrenaline rush. “This event aims to launch the newlycreated tagline for the region, sustain the DOT’s efforts to promote regional circuits and tourism-related activities through a new tagline for the new normal and make sure that tourism products embody the new face offering of the region,” said Arina.

The event will feature a three-day booth display at SM City Butuan which will be participated by the five provinces of the region (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands), and six cities (Butuan, Bayugan, Bislig, Cabadbaran, Surigao and Tandag). Product presentations of the LGUs will be showcased during the event.

After the launching, a press briefing is scheduled at 4:40pm in the same venue. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga)