November 24, 2020 – The Provincial Planning and Development Office OFW Desk in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Antique Provincial Heath Office and the Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Initiative Inc. recently conducted an Orientation on Reintegration program for repatriated Antique Overseas Filipino Workers.

In Photo (Left to Right) – Mrs. Juliana Cepe (PPDO), Mr. Joefel Resol (Atikha), SP Karmila Dimamay, Ms. Rizza Moltes (OWWA), 5 beneficiaries of OFW assistance , Gov. Rhodora Cadiao

To give ease of access to our Antiqueño OFWs both from the Northern and Southern part of the province, the programs were held in 2 different locations, The Venue in San Jose de Buenavista on November 24 & 26 and Culasi North Elementary School on November 25.

In Photo – Governor Cadiao giving her message to our repatriated OFWS and other attendees

At orientation held in The Venue, Mrs. Juliana O. Cepe, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, gave the opening remarks and rationale of the activity and was followed by a message from our Governor, Rhodora “Dodod” J. Cadiao.

Promoting mental health amidst the pandemic was the main topic discussed by the Provincial Health Office and our OFWs were also educated on the Risk-Based Health standards for COVID-19 Mitigation. On the other hand, TESDA and Atikha oriented them on the trainings, business opportunities, and livelihood assistance offered by the government in order to alleviate their sudden job loss due to the pandemic. OWWA also briefed the attendees on the support they are offering like Welfare assistance program, OFW dependent scholarship program, Skill employment program, Balik-Pinas hanapbuhay and other programs which are beneficial to our repatriated Antiqueño OFWs

At the Culasi North Elementary School, the Provincial Planning and Development Office – OFW Desk, supervised by Engr. Guillermo Clemente III, together with Provincial Board Members SP Karmila Dimamay and SP. Mayella Plameras-Ladislao, spearheaded the Orientation on Reintegration program last November 25, 2020. They were accompanied by the representatives of the Provincial Health office, TESDA, Atikha, and OWWA.

 In Photo – SP. Mayela Plameras- Ladislao giving her message to our Repatriated OFWs at the Culasi North Elementary School

The 3-day program which garnered more or less 500+ attendees was a success and our Repatriated OFWs were very much thankful to the various government offices who facilitated the program because even though they lost their job overseas, the government is giving them an opportunity to start over here in their home country.