Region I MDOs learn psychosocial support processing

By Justin Paul D. Marbella

OWWA RWOI

Migrant Desk Officers (MDOs) from different local government units (LGUs) in Region I gathered for a training on psychosocial support processing on January 25-27, 2016 in Binalonan, Pangasinan.

This is in view of the aim to capacitate them as vital partners of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in serving the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in the local government level.

Facilitated by the OWWA Regional Welfare Office I, the training titled “Basic Facilitator’s Training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support During Crises, Emergencies and Disasters” was participated in by 94 MDOs from across Region I.

There were 44 MDOs from Pangasinan, 21 from La Union, 15 from Ilocos Sur, and 14 from Ilocos Norte. Other participants were officers of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office I. DOLE Regional Director Grace Y. Ursua also extended her regards to the participants during the opening program.

Discussions and activities during the training centered on the psychosocial support processing, which is a psychological intervention given to victims of both natural and man-made calamities.

The three-day training started with an activity on self-awareness, where MDOs where made to illustrate their own “body maps.” Ms. Clarivel C. Banzuela, Social Welfare Officer IV of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office I, facilitated the activity.

The MDOs also learned more comprehensively on psychosocial support processing as they sat on the day-long lecture by Dr. Ricardo S. Guanzon, a revered counselor, psychologist and professor from Pangasinan. Dr. Guanzon tackled three modules namely Well-Being, Resilience, and Coping; Mental Health and Psychosocial Assessment; and Mental Health and Psychosocial Intervention.

The MDOs were able to put their newly-acquired knowledge to practice, through a role-playing activity which was facilitated by Maricel S. Caleja, DSWD ROI Social Worker Officer III. The MDOs acted as the counselors and facilitators of the psychosocial support processing during emergencies, while others role-played as the calamity victims, specifically as an OFW, Person-with-Disability, Pregnant Woman, and Senior Citizen.

The participants expressed their sincere gratitude to the OWWA RWOI for holding the training.  Now armed with skills on counseling during crises, the MDOs are optimistic they can now deliver enhanced service in their respective LGUs.

OWWA RWOI OIC Director Sergio B. Borgueta Jr. and OIC PSD Gerardo Rimorin in return solicited the continued support of the MDOs in all the endeavors of OWWA to ensure the sustained commitment in the protection and promotion of the welfares of the OFWs and families in the region.