DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Press Releases

3 undocumented Pinay OFW-returnees given hope through DOLE-NRCO Sari-Sari Store and Rice Trading Liv

Cagayan de Oro City -- The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. X (DOLE-X), thru its National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) awarded various Livelihood Starter Kits to three undocumented Pinay OFW returnees during its Monday Convocation on 27 June 2016 at the DOLE-X Worker’s Organization Development Program (WODP) Training Center, Monte Carlo Building, RER Phase I, Kauswagan National Highway, this city.

DOLE-X Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante awarded PhP 10,000.00 each worth of starter kits as start-up business projects of the said OFW-returnees.

Director Agravante informed that the NRCO’s Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) was established in 2011 through the Administrative Order No. 77 Series of 2011andaims to provide grants for livelihood assistance to returning OFWs.

Agravante expounded, “Formerly known as the 10K Livelihood Assistance Program, the Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) has been reformulated in 2014 to cater to undocumented OFWs.”

From the reports from CY 2011 to 2014, Agravante has accounted that LDAP has reached more than 15,000 beneficiaries, nationwide, and has provided livelihood projects such as sari-sari stores, beauty parlor, rice trading, machine shop, furniture making, among others.

Ms. Nimfa Amora, a resident of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, used to work as a Household Worker in Dubai, was a victim of misfortune events and imprisoned twice by her former employer. She found hope when she was granted by DOLE-X various goods for a Sari-Sari Store.

“Umuwi po ako ng walang-wala at baon pa sa utang. Akala ko wala na akong pag-asang makakita ng mapagkakitaan ko. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa DOLE-NRCO at dahil sa ibinigay nila na Sari-Sari store ay maipagpapatuloy ko na ang aking paghahanapbuhay,” Amora expressively relayed.

Likewise, Ms. Charalyn Tolentino, also a Household Worker from Dubai, though did not have any major encounters while working abroad was also undocumented. She thanked all the government agencies especially DOLE and NRCO for the Sari-Sari Store livelihood project she received. According to her, she will now be able to revive her previous income-generation in their province of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

It was also tearfully recounted by Ms. Bhilcen Padero, a resident of Opol, Misamis Oriental her mishaps when she used to work as a Household Worker in Singapore.

“I was threatened by the strange actions by the son of my former employer since we both were left in the house. He did not want me to lock my bedroom at night, which prompted me to be paranoid. I then decided to go home to the Philippines,” Padero openly shared.

Padero’s misfortune did not end there. Upon her return to Opol, she met an accident with her husband, which gave her some body ailments. This impelled her to retain in the country and look for jobs to financially sustain her family.

“I am so thankful with the Rice Trading Livelihood Project of DOLE-X and I promise to let it grow,” she appreciated.

“I am moved to hear the beneficiaries’ promising aspirations, in spite what they have been through abroad. I hope to see them in the next six months with successful livelihood projects. May their success give inspiration to all of us,” Agravante disclosed.

The availees of this program shall be any undocumented OFW who has returned to the Philippines. An undocumented OFW is defined as: those who acquired their passports through fraud or misrepresentation; those who possess expired visa or permits to stay; those who have no travel documents whatsoever; those who have valid but inappropriate visa; or those employment contracts which were not processed by the POEA or subsequently verified and registered on-site by POLO, if required by law or regulation.

Qualified availees shall submit their requirements to the DOLE Regional Office based on the location of their planned business. The beneficiaries will receive a business enterprise start-up kit worth P10,000 which consist of the materials of their proposed business. All availees of the LDAP are required to finish the Small Business Management Training and Financial Awareness Seminar to prepare them in managing a small business enterprise.

“We (DOLE) are your companion in uplifting your lives,” Agravante further opined especially to those interested to avail the program.

End/Marry Gil A. Damasing/NRCO-X

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June 27, 2016 at DOLE Regional Office X, Cagayan de Oro City, the three (3) beneficiaries of National Reintegration Center for OFWs received the starter kits under the program of Livelihood Development Program together with DOLE –X - Regional Director, Mr. Raymundo G. Agravante (rightmost) and NRCO-X Coordinator – Ms. Marry Gil A. Damasing (leftmost). (Photo source: MDS/DOLE-X)

During the awarding - (from left) Marry Gil Damasing-NRCO Coordinator, Ms. Charalyn P. Tolentino -Beneficiary 1, Ms. Bhilcen P. Padero-Beneficiary 2, Ms. Nimfa U. Amora-Beneficiary 3 & MR. Raymundo G. Agravante, Regional Director, RO-X (Photo source: MDS/DOLE-X)