28 displaced Caraganon OFWs train in financial
literacy, entrep development
By Jean Pearl I. Millones
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) - To equip its
beneficiaries with vital learning on entrepreneurship which will eventually aid
in their reintegration, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
spearheaded an Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) and Financial
Literacy to the first 2016 batch of Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay! applicants
on February 22.
The Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay! Program grants
a non-cash livelihood assistance of P10,000 to provide immediate relief to
displaced member-OFWs due to various adversities abroad.
The target beneficiaries who were displaced by
hostilities, wars/political conflict in the host country, victims of illegal
recruitment or human trafficking who were repatriated before finishing their
contracts may avail of the program only once, provided they apply within one
year after return to the country.
Jean Mary G. Ronquillo, in-charge for the
Reintegration Program, emphasized that the techno-transfer aims to capacitate
the beneficiaries with necessary business understanding that will greatly aid
them in the planning, setting up and operating a livelihood undertaking.
During the training, the OFWs are assisted in
generating a successful, but realistic and viable business venture adhering to
the priority projects including, but not
limited to, health and wellness, house repairs, food processing, handicraft,
goods under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) scheme and agriculture-related
projects.
Further, the training also aims to inculcate the
concepts of efficient budgeting, management and finance which could guide them
towards the continuance of their business venture.
Gemma Guinanas, an OFW repatriate in 2015,
expressed that the training provided her with technical knowledge that she
could apply to her currently-engaged buy and sell business. “The assistance
will also be a big addition for my capital which will help in the eventual
expansion of my market reach," she added.
The Certificate of Attendance to the
Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) is one of the requirements for the
program application. The participants must also provide proof of repatriation
or return to the country such as passport or travel documents and airline
tickets.
Moreover, after they have completed the training
and submitted all the necessary requirements, the beneficiaries are then
advised to keep in contact with the agency for the processing and procurement
of their starter kits. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Mobile dental clinic to serve Agusanons
By Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) - The provincial
government of Agusan del Norte is set to receive a Mobile Dental Clinic
including its equipment from the Department of Health (DOH) to augment public
dental health services in the province.
To address the prevalence of dental diseases in
the country, the DOH is implementing the Health Facility Enhancement Program
(HFEP) by providing mobile dental clinics with equipment to provinces and other
local government units (LGUs) to ensure the accessibility of quality dental
health services to all Filipino citizens, especially those who are
underprivileged.
DOH studies reveal that the prevalence of dental
diseases nationwide continues to be high in the country starting from childhood
but the ratio of dentists to patients remains relatively low with the figure
1:48,000-50,000.
Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba
will sign the Deed of Donation by and between the province and the DOH for the
provision of the mobile dental clinic.
Under the Deed of Donation, the province will
ensure that the mobile dental clinic is utilized in accordance with its
purpose; ensure the availability of dentists and other health personnel, drugs,
medicines and supplies, utilities and other operational expenses; ensure the
rational use of the mobile dental clinic within the province to maximize its
benefit to the residents needing quality dental care and services; ensure the
proper maintenance, out of its own resources, of the said mobile dental clinic;
and designate the Provincial Health Officer as the focal person who will be
coordinating with the DOH Caraga Regional Office for purposes of program
monitoring and evaluation.
Provincial Board Member Rey G. Jamboy, chairman of
the Committee on Health and Nutrition, pushed for the passage and approval of
Sanggunian Resolution No. 050-2016, authorizing Governor Amante-Matba for the
said signing who believed that the mobile dental clinic will give quality
dental treatment to Agusanons who may otherwise have a hard time in accessing
essential healthcare. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
