OWWA Region I helps families of late OFWs build livelihood

By Justin Paul D. Marbella

OWWA RWO1

San Fernando, La Union—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA RWOI) has extended help to families of late Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by providing them assistance in the form of livelihood.

Through the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), the OWWA RWO I has released a total of P645,000 worth of livelihood assistance to 43 beneficiaries all over Region I for the period of January-April 2015.  29 beneficiaries come from Pangasinan, six from La Union, five from Ilocos Sur, and three from Ilocos Norte.

The ELAP is an OWWA program for survivors of deceased OFWs. It has two components: the Livelihood Component and Education Component. Under the Livelihood Component, qualified dependents receive livelihood assistance amounting to P15,000.

Most of the new ELAP beneficiaries in Region I have existing livelihoods, such as sari-sari store, livestock raising, and transportation services, among others. Thus, they received the financial assistance from OWWA in the form of check. Using this amount, they were able to sustain and improve their business ventures.

Other beneficiaries, meanwhile, received the financial assistance in the form of goods as startup for their livelihood. These goods include grocery items, sacks of rice, and other resources which they could use to launch their business.

Melinda N. Carbon of Agno, Pangasinan prepares to bring home the nine cavans of rice which she will use to start a rice trading business. She received the goods worth P15,000 from OWWA RWOI on April 22, 2015, through the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP).

One of them is Eden C. Suyat of Acop, Rosales, Pangasinan. She gladly received grocery items from OWWA RWO I officers who personally visited her at her residence on April 17, 2015. She expressed excitement at putting up her sari-sari store as this will help not only her family, but also her community. Eden’s son, John Lloyd, also enjoys OWWA programs through the Education Component of ELAP. An incoming Grade Six pupil, John Lloyd receives P5,000 per school year to help him in his schooling.

Eden Suyat and son, John Lloyd, are excited to put up their sari-sari store in their village in Acop, Rosales, Pangasinan. They received the grocery items worth P15,000 from OWWA RWOI on April 17, 2015, as part of their benefits through the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP).

Another beneficiary is Melinda N. Carbon of Agno, Pangasinan, who will engage in rice trading. The OWWA RWO I turned over nine cavans of rice to Carbon on April 22, 2015.