The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga conducts a consultation dialogue with Overseas Filipinos dubbed “Understanding and Managing Anxiety: A Mental Health Awareness cum Consultation with Overseas Filipinos” at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City on April 13, 2022.

The said activity highlights the importance of mental well-being, and encourages everyone to break the stigma associated with mental health disorders, especially among workers who are apart from their families.

Atty. Geramer V. Durato, Attorney III/Legal Unit Head discussed about RA 10364: Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, while Bernape C. Bantayan, Social Welfare Officer(SWO) I/RRPTP Focal Person, talked about the causes, means and impact of human trafficking to the group of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who attended the activity.

Attendees were also given the chance to actively participate in the open forum where they were able to raise questions regarding mental health, which would come handy in their work conditions.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Director, Ireen C. Cambaling, assisted by DSWD SWO IV/ISSO Head/Focal person, Raffy C. Vigil, led the awarding of certificates and tokens to the attendees of the said activity.

OWWA also awarded special livelihood program for household service workers amounting to Php10,000.00 – Php20,000.00 to active OWWA members.#