Dinagat Islands sends off seasonal workers to South Korea
By Renelle Escuadro
BUTUAN
CITY (PIA) – The provincial government of Dinagat Islands sent off 42 seasonal
workers to Yeongwol-gun, South Korea.
This
group served as the first batch of seasonal workers this year to work as
farmers in South Korea.
Under the
program “Remedy sa Panarbaho,” Gov. Nilo P. Demerey Jr. has high hopes that
this program will address poverty and provide an opportunity to improve the
local economy.
“Ang
malampuson nga larga sa seasonal workers sa South Korea, makapakunhod og 20
percent nga poverty rate sa probinsya,” the governor said.
[The
successful deployment of seasonal workers to South Korea will lessen the
poverty rate of the province by 20 percent.]
“Sa mga
bag-ong bayani sa modernong panahon, saludo ang mga Dinagatnon sa
pagpaningkamot nga muadto sa laing nasud para sa kaugmaon sa ilang matag
pamilya. Dugang pa, ang ilang pagsakripisyo usa na ka pasidungog isip pagdala
sa maayong kalidad og kapasidad sa Pilipino nga manarbaho sa laing nasud,” Gov.
Demerey added.
[To the
new and modern heroes, the Dinagatnons commended you for your efforts and hard
work to go out of the country so your families will have a better future. Your
sacrifice is a source of pride for the country, as we are sending quality
Filipinos to work in foreign countries.]
 |
| Prior to their departure to South Korea, the first batch of seasonal workers paid a courtesy visit to Provincial Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. of the Province of Dinagat Islands. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Nilo P. Demerey Jr. ) |
Jestoni Guevarra,
in his interview with the Provincial Information Office (PIO), expressed his
gratitude to all who helped them complete the requirements and trainings needed
for the seasonal workers program, stating, “We promised to the provincial
government of Dinagat Islands that we will do our best at work from day one up to the last day of our contract so our employers will be happy and we also
want other Dinagatnons to experience the program.”
Migrant
Office administrator, Ivy Vergara-Ecleo, who accompanied the seasonal workers
in their send-off at Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu City, reminded
them to be good and disciplined workers and farmers in South Korea and to
finish their contracts and go home to the country so their employers will
consider rehiring them.
Prior to
their departure, the seasonal workers underwent significant lessons on
Korean language, basic agriculture training such as land preparation, proper
application of fertilizer, operation, and safety precautions on the use
of farm machinery, and reservist physical fitness training, among others.
They were
also approved as overseas Filipino workers (OFW), as facilitated by the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga.
 |
| The provincial government of Dinagat Islands closely collaborated with the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines, and other partners to ensure the readiness and safety of the seasonal workers within the duration of their contract in South Korea. (Photo courtesy of PIO-PDI) |
It can be
recalled that in 2023, the provincial government of Dinagat Islands, together
with the Department of Migrant Workers through the Migrant Office in Dinagat
Islands and the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines (PBMLP)
National Executive Vice President Dick Victor Carmona, was able to send 474
seasonal workers to South Korea.
This year, the province has targeted sending an additional 3,000 seasonal workers to South Korea. (RLE/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
