Displaced OFWs in Eastern Pangasinan given techno-production skills training on livestock raising

Dr. Arcely G. Robeniol and Mr. Roberto Espanto during their discussions on the Techno-Production Skills in Livestock Raising. (OWWA RWO1)

As part of the “Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay!” Program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Regional Welfare Office 1 (RWO1) conducted a Techno-Production Skills Training on Livestock Raising on February 24, 2015 at the Robert Estrella Gymnasium in Rosales, Pangasinan.

The one-day seminar was attended by 26 displaced workers coming from various municipalities in Eastern Pangasinan. Among the topics discussed were hog-, poultry and goat-raising. Dr. Arcely G. Robeniol, District Veterinarian and Mr. Roberto Espanto, Municipal Agriculture Officer of Rosales delivered a comprehensive discussion on the proper way of raising livestock including their housing, food consumption and medication in case of illnesses. They also gave some tips on how to gain profit in this kind of livelihood.

After the completion of the said seminar, the displaced workers are now ready to engage into livestock raising and in the coming days OWWA Region 1 will award their livelihood packages to start with their respective livelihood undertakings. Other provinces are scheduled to have their trainings on their prospective livelihoods this March 2015.

The OWWA “Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay!” Program is a non-cash livelihood assistance program that provides relief to returning member-OFWs who were displaced from their jobs due to wars/political conflicts in host countries, or policy reforms, controls and changes by the host government; or were victims of illegal recruitment and/or human trafficking or other distressful situations.

It is a package of livelihood assistance amounting to P10,000 consisting of techno-skills and/or entrepreneurship trainings, starter kits/goods and/or such other services that will enable beneficiaries to quickly start a livelihood undertaking through self/wage employment.

The program aims to enable the beneficiaries to be multi-skilled through access to training services by training institutions like TESDA, DTI, and NGOs. It also equips the beneficiaries with skills that are highly in demand in the local labor market and enables them to plan, set-up, start and operate a livelihood undertaking by providing them with ready-to-go rollout self-employment package of services, consisting of short-duration trainings, start-up kits/goods business counseling and technical and marketing assistance. (OWWA RWO1)