More than 64 overseas Filipino workers in Abra received financial assistance through two OWWA programs — the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program, which offers livelihood relief to returning OFWs, and the Welfare Assistance Program, which covers needs arising from calamities, bereavement, disability, and medical conditions.
The combined disbursements reached P1,940,000, benefiting individual workers as well as OFW organizations and at least one bereaved family.
Widow Ranelle Beltran of Bucay was among those who received burial and educational assistance after losing her husband. “Dakkel nga tulong daytoy kanyak lalo ta maymaysa nakon. Dakkel nga tulong ti masakbayan dagitoy ubbing, thankfulnak met ti OWWA,” she said.
Two associations also secured funding for community livelihood projects. The Callao Calcalumadsi OFW Returnees and Dependents Association in Villaviciosa received P200,000 as the opening phase of a P1-million water refilling venture. The Bulbulala OFW Association in La Paz, meanwhile, collected P600,000 representing the final tranche of a P1-million loom weaving project it had previously launched.
Bulbulala president Felicidad Apuado credited the organization’s formation as key to accessing the support. “Masaya po kami na nakakatulong sa mga kasamahang kong OFW. Nagtagumpay po iyong nabuo namin [organisasyon],” she said.
The distribution was led by OWWA-Cordillera OIC-Director Dina Ponciano, OWWA-Abra Family Welfare Officer Karen Borreta, and Provincial Information Officer Atty. King Blas Jervin Pagtailan, who stood in for Governor Eustaquio Bersamin.
