The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) of the Cagayan Valley Region distributed 2.6 million pesos in total assistance on May 27, 2025 to 140 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during a livelihood assistance awarding ceremony held at the Ammungan Hall of the Provincial Capitol.
The event was led by OWWA Regional Director Virsie Tamayao, alongside the Public Employment Service Division (PESD) under the office of Governor Atty. Jose “Jing” V. Gambito. According to Dolly Rose C. Minas, PESD Manager and partner of OWWA in implementing the program, the assistance provided ranged from five thousand pesos to twenty thousand pesos, as part of various agency programs. These programs include Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH), the Education Assistance Program, the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program, the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program, Emergency Repatriation Assistance, Medical Assistance and the Special Livelihood Program (SLP).
You can check the list of OWWA benefits from our website.
Out of the 140 OFWs who received assistance, 114 were granted the maximum amount of twenty thousand pesos under the BPBH program. Additionally, 11 beneficiaries received medical assistance, and 8 were supported through the SLP. Among those recognized were the families of two deceased former OFWs, each receiving twenty thousand pesos, while the family of an OFW from Bambang, who passed away while working abroad, received a total of 120,000 pesos.
Following the awarding ceremony, RD Tamayao, accompanied by Ms. Minas, paid a courtesy call to the office of Governor Gambito. During this visit, she personally invited the governor to be the guest speaker at the upcoming Regional OFW Thanksgiving Day, which will be held in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, next month. Governor Gambito was chosen personally by OWWA Region 2 due to his commendable programs for OFWs, reflecting the administration’s commitment to supporting Filipino workers and their families.
This initiative highlights the government’s dedication to ensuring that OFWs have the necessary resources to rebuild their lives upon returning home or after facing unfortunate circumstances.
