The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Region II (OWWA R2), in partnership with the Public Employment Services Division of the Governor’s Office, distributed financial assistance to more than 50 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in a special program on November 6, 2025, in the Ammungan Hall of the Capitol Compound, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

This awarding of cheques from various programs of the OWWA is the final installment of their quarterly distribution meant to aid returned OFWs. Out of 106 cheques, 58 were distributed during the program, which was attended by BM Flodemonte Gerdan, PESD Officer Dolly Rose Minas, and OWWA Officer Alma Chavente.

Ms. Chavente expressed gratitude for PESD’s spearheading of the program, commending Ms. Minas for the PGNV’s establishment of the OFW Welfare Center in 2023, the first and only one of its kind so far in the region, and commiserated with the struggles of OFWs, encouraging those present to come to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA with any issues. For his part, BM Gerdan in his speech also related his own experiences as a former OFW and assured the attendees of his and Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito’s commitment to their welfare.

The financial aid varied from livelihood to medical, with the majority of the requests being for medical aid. OFWs from all fifteen municipalities were represented. While the individual amounts given also varied based on membership and the nature of the request, the total amount tallied up to 2.2 million in financial aid in the form of cheques for the OFWs.

The recognition of the struggles of OFWs that extend even to their situation at home is also an acknowledgement of OFWs’ contribution to the economy and the circumstances that create them. Programs such as this from the OWWA and the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya could only aid in the wellbeing of OFWs and the families they leave behind. /igmb

[This article was initially created on Facebook – Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. For PGNV updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/vizcayareporter]