TACLOBAN CITY-The regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-8) releases more livelihood assistance this August to returning overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs. For August, DOLE NRCO already released livelihood assistance to fivequalified OFW beneficiaries for their business ventures: botika ng barangay, meat processing, variety store and rice trading.
Each beneficiary received P 10, 000worth of starter kits, amounting to a total of P 50, 000.00. “The program is part of the initiative of DOLE to productively reintegrate returning OFWs in the mainstream Philippine society that they may enjoy the gains of overseas employment. NRCO encourages them to obtain an entrepreneurial mindset, through awareness on the value of saving, investment, business, and local employment upon their return,” Regional Director Elias Cayanong said. Raquel Postrero, a beneficiary, thanked DOLE for giving her the opportunity to live a new life from the distressful situation she encountered as a Household Service Worker in Kuwait.
“Akala nila, madali at masarap ang buhay OFW. Pero, hindi madali ang pinagdaanan ko sa Kuwait bilang isang Household Service Worker. Nagpapasalamat ako sa DOLE na natulungan ako ng NRCO na makapagsimula ng panibagong buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ko ng negosyong Variety Store. [Most people thought that it easy to be employed overseas. Little did they know that I had experienced worst being a Household Service Worker in Kuwait. I am grateful to DOLE for helping me start a new life by having a business venture with variety store,” Postrero added.
In an interview, Assistant Regional Director Exequiel Ronie Guzman urged all qualified OFW returnees to avail of the livelihood assistance and other opportunities from NRCO which are intended to augment their income and in the long run, contribute to the region’s economic status. (NIA CHUA)
