OWWA gives out P2.5M to displaced OFWs
A new life. A new chance.
Hopefully this would be possible to 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Western Visayas who lost their jobs due to the global economic crisis.
The workers on Tuesday received a total of P2.5 million or P50,000 each in livelihood loan assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as their start-up capital for small businesses that they have chosen.
James Mendiola, OWWA Officer-In-Charge-Regional Director, said the loan is payable in two year with an interest of 5 percent per annum and a three-month grace period. The grantees will pay P2,193.75 per month.
OFWs who availed of the livelihood assistance had to undergo seminars and trainings conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry. The trainings include meat processing, preparation of no-bake pastries and ready-to-drink juice.
Many of the OFWs are planning to put up their own businesses like variety stories or small piggeries.
“There is still hope,” said Corazon Songcayawon, a nurse of more than 20 years who lost her job in Kuwait last February.
Around 129 OFWs from Western Visayas have reported the loss of their jobs to the OWWA regional office as of April 3.
Majority of the displaced OFWs (94) are men and 35 are women. Most of them were hired in the construction industry including board installers, machine operators, welders, factory workers and engineers.
The United Arab Emirates had the highest number of displaced workers from Western Visayas with 44 followed by Taiwan (29) and Qatar with 13.
Majority of the displaced OFWs were from Iloilo (71), followed by Negros Occidental (40), Capiz (8), Guimaras (5), Antique (4) and Aklan (1).
Vivian Tornea, director of the OWWA's Policy and Program Development Office, said many OFWs had at first wanted to go back abroad. But several have availed of the livelihood assistance because of the difficulty of finding jobs in other countries immediately.
Tornea said more than 12,000 OFWs have lost their jobs since October last year when the global economic downturn erupted.
Most of those laid off worked in Taiwan (3,000) and the UAE.
She said it has been difficult for laid off workers to adjust to their situation but the support of relatives and families have significantly helped.
“The Filipino's extended families have helped cushion the impact. We believe that the Filipino resilience will help us weather the crisis,” said Tornea.