OWWA, PESO Zambales Programs for OFWs
Overseas workers and their families in Zambales should expect more programs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Zambales has been intensified during a Strategic Planning Workshop which aims to line-up various program implementation by 2014.
Exactly 35 PESO Managers and Migrant Desk Officers attended the workshop held at the Capitol, Iba, Zambales on December 5 to set-up a guiding plan to promote the programs and bring the services of OWWA closest to the community.
According to OWWA Regional Director Ma Lourdes V. Reyes, the partnership with the PESO of Zambales through the leadership of Vice Governor Ramon G. Lacbain II serves as bridge that will facilitate delivery of OWWA programs and services in the province.
“We aim to bring our services closest to our client OFWs. Through this leap, it is expected that a larger number of OFW and their families from the province will be catered and assisted by OWWA Region 3.” says Reyes
Vice Gov. Lacbain who also serves as the Provincial PESO Manager exclaims that as part of the commitment to ensure that OFWs in Zambales can avail of the benefits, last Sept. 12, LGUs of Zambales has forged partnership with OWWA Region 3 in the establishing OFW Help Desks in each municipality.
“Under the leadership of Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., our OFWs and their families can now inquire and be assisted of the programs, activities and projects of OWWA. They can go directly to our migrant desks located in different Public Employment Service Offices all over the province.” says Vice Gov. Lacbain
To date, OWWA has 3 graduates under the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), 16 maintained scholars under the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) and Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), and 77 availees of the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) and Seafarers Upgrading Program (SUP). As well, there are 77 beneficiaries of the NRCO 10K Livelihood Assistance and 2 availees of the 2-Billion Reintegration Program.
Palanginan OFC and Bangantalinga OFC are established family circles in the province of Zambales. A total of 153 OFW members of these organizations have undergone seminars and trainings. (OWWA Press, TJRP)
