Nueva Vizcaya OFWs, kin get P8-M aid

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in Nueva Vizcaya received P8 million in financial assistance and 3,500 sacks of rice as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) rolled out its OFW Serbisyo Caravan.

The assistance was capped by an honorary dinner at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center, where Governor Jose V. Gambito conferred on OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan the title of “Adopted Daughter of Nueva Vizcaya,” in recognition of the agency’s support for the Nueva Vizcaya OFW sector.

Mr. Gambito said the caravan demonstrated how close coordination between the provincial government and OWWA directly benefits families of migrant workers, noting that beneficiaries left the Capitol “smiling” after receiving food and financial aid. He thanked OWWA for extending assistance that eased the burden on households dependent on overseas employment.

Ms. Caunan said OWWA has expanded services once available only to OFWs abroad, including driver’s license renewal and other government transactions, to local government units so families no longer need to travel far or wait for their relatives overseas to access government programs. — Artemio A. Dumlao