BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration – Cordillera (OWWA – CAR) visited Mountain Province last week and distributed around P1.41 million livelihood and welfare assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers  from the area.

Under OWWA’s Welfare Assistance Program (WAP), a total of P552,000 calamity assistance was distributed to 184 OFWs who were affected by July 27 Magnitude 7.0 Northwestern Luzon earthquake in Lower Bauko while another 97 beneficiaries received a total of P261,000.

For the municipality of Besao, a total of P252,000 was distributed to 84 OFWs. Eight identified beneficiaries in the town of Sadanga  received P24,000.

The WAP is a calamity assistance for OWWA members, active or non-active, who are affected by natural calamities or disasters and each OFW family beneficiary is entitled to receive P3,000 financial assistance.

 OWWA – CAR also distributed livelihood assistance to repatriated OFWs under the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program.

There were two OFW beneficiaries from the municipality of Bauko and three others from the municipality of Tadian who received P20,000 each.

For OFW Family Circles that aim   to put up or expand their business, three groups are beneficiaries under  the OWWA’s Tulong PUSO program.

In the municipality of Tadian, the Kabaddang OFW group received P89,000,   the first tranche of the P445,000 livelihood grant, for their hog raising livelihood project. The Tue OFW Association also received P60,000, the third tranche of the P200,000 livelihood assistance,  for their rice and feeds trading project.

In the capital town of Bontoc, the Vangad Madnoh Organization received P75,000, also the third tranche of their P250,000 livelihood grant for their rice, feeds and LPG retailing business.

OWWA – CAR also distributed medical and bereavement assistance and scholarship checks to several program beneficiaries.

OWWA - CAR OIC Regional Director Luzviminda Tumaliuan with National Reintegration Center for OFWs Director IV Dindi Tan led the awarding of welfare assistance in   last Sept.  6 to 7 and OWWA personnel continued the distribution until Sept. 9.

Tumaliuan, in a statement, assured the continuing welfare assistance to OWWA – member OFWs who are being affected by calamities and disasters as well as livelihood assistance to repatriated OFWs.

For OFW Family Circles/organizations that want to venture into business or expand an existing one, OWWA – CAR   has the Tulong PUSO (Pangkabuhayan sa pag-Unlad ng Samahang OFW) which is one – time livelihood grants to qualified beneficiaries, Tumaliuan added. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)