Surigaonon OFWs, dependents get aid from OWWA
By Jean Mary Ronquillo
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 23 (PIA) - In support to the initiative of the
provincial government of Surigao del Norte to bring public service closer to
its constituents, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional
Welfare Office Caraga afforded its programs and services to Surigaonon member
OFWs and their dependents during the recently concluded celebration of the
province's People’s Day.
Highlights of the said activity included the
ceremonial turn-over and distribution of projects and assistance to the
beneficiaries of various government agencies including OWWA. Regional director Samuel
Madrid of OWWA Caraga together with governor Sol Matugas, vice governor Arturo
Carlos Egay Jr., first district representative Francisco Matugas, PESO
provincial manager Emil Pantejo of Surigao del Norte Public Employment Service
Office and other local government officials led the awarding of financial
assistance to the five beneficiaries of OFW Dependent Scholarship Program,
three OFW availees of livelihood starter kits under “Balik Pinas Balik
Hanapbuhay Program” and two recipients of Educational and Livelihood Assistance
Program (ELAP).
OFWDSP grants P20,000.00 financial assistance per
school year to qualified dependents of OFWs with monthly salary of not more
than USD $400.00 who wish to enroll in a baccalaureate course in any state
college or university. ELAP Educational Component on the other hand, provides
educational assistance program to an OFW dependent of a deceased OFW. More so,
an ELAP livelihood component amounting to P15,000.00 is also given to the
surviving spouse of a deceased OFW on top of the insurance benefits. Likewise,
a non-cash livelihood assistance amounting to P10,000.00 is granted to
displaced or distressed OFWs who were not able to finish their contract abroad
due to several factors that affected their work and other distressful
situations in their host countries.
One of the livelihood beneficiaries, former OFW
Leonardo Corvera, from Taganaan, Surigao del Norte, expressed his gratitude to
the agency for granting him a livelihood starter kit in the form of piglets and
feeds which can eventually bring additional income to his household
particularly now that he can no longer continue to work. Corvera was unable to
finish his last working contract as operator in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to
sickness.
Moreover, aside from distributing financial and
livelihood assistance, OWWA also participated in the People’s Day jobs fair to
further disseminate and extend other programs and services of the agency to the
OFW members and dependents in the locality.
In a statement, Madrid commended the provincial
government of Surigao del Norte for the initiative of holding the said activity
which paved way for the government to reach out to clients in far off areas of
the region.
During the closing ceremony, Gov. Matugas also
extended her gratefulness to all regional heads of government agencies,
provincial government officials and the participating local establishments who
contributed to make the activity a successful one. She added that the event
also showed the convergence of government programs.
“The activity and the services are done by many
hands and truly if all the hands are in, the end result brings happiness to the
general public and satisfaction in the projects and programs intended for
them,” bared Matugas. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur starts to gear up for 2016 National Women’s
Month Celebration
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 23 (PIA) –
Various women’s organizations in Surigao del Sur have already started to get
ready for the 2016 National Women’s Month Celebration in March.
Mila Arreza, population program officer IV, and
one of the most active women leaders at the provincial capitol here being the
Gender and Development (GAD) focal person, has come out with the initial
activities to be undertaken.
Hanging up of tarps/streamers in strategic areas
bearing the theme “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda!” will signal the
opening of the month-long celebration, it was learned.
Henceforth, activities will go on until
culmination at the end of the month, based on the plan of activities printed
out.
Among the major events lined-up include Mass
(during the opening/closing activities), Fun Run, Health Summit,
Orientation/Seminar on Laws on Women, and Radio/TV Program guestings.
During the month-long celebration, all national,
provincial, city and municipal offices, non-government organizations (NGOs),
socio-civic and religious organizations are expected to take part.
In the province, both Surigao del Sur Women
Employees Association (SSWEA) and Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at
Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA) are the usual groups frequently seen in events
like this. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Cebuano News: Mokabat sa 4,000 ka mga mag-uuma,
mananagat mitambong sa ‘Farmers Forum’
Ni Mary Jul E. Escalante
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 23 (PIA) -
Mokabat sa 4,000 ka mga mag-uuma, mananagat, magtutudlo ug tinun-an sa
sekondarya ning atong probinsya ang nagkatigom nga mitambong sa gipahigayon nga
‘Famers Forum’ niadtong Pebrero 19, 2016 didto sa Provincial Gym niadtong
kagahapong Pebrero 19, 2016, ning dakbayan.
Ubay-ubay ang mga pahalipay nga gihatag sa mga
mag-uuma sama sa mga organic fertilizers, seedlings, farm and garden tools.
Ang maong kalihukan sa gi-organisa ug gipangunahan
ni Gobernador Sol F. Matugas ug sa Provincial Agriculture Office.
Mitambong usab atol sa maong forum sila Gobernador
Sol Matugas, Bise Gobernador Arturo Carlos Egay Jr., Kongresista Francisco
Matugas, Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, mga Boar Members ug uban ang mga
Municipal Mayors, Dept. of Agriculture (DA) Acting Regional Director Edna
Mabeza, ug Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director
Nerio Casil. (PGO-PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
