The ceremonial payout was led by Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga together with Assistant Regional Director for Operations Jean Paul Parajes, Crisis Intervention Section Head Anna Semacio, SLP Regional Program Coordinator Reynard Roi Cabusao, and SLP personnel.

The participants were Rosalinda Villarmino of Barangay Taligaman and Rezel Panta of Barangay Pagatpatan, each received Php20,000.00 worth of livelihood assistance to help them rebuild their source of income after being displaced from work abroad due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.

The assistance forms part of the government’s continuing response for repatriated OFWs who were forced to return home before the completion of their employment contracts because of the crisis abroad. Through DSWD-SLP, the agency aims to help returning OFWs recover financially and establish sustainable sources of income for their families.

In her message, RD Flo assured the beneficiaries that the government remains ready to support OFWs affected by crises and displacement.

“Sana po maramdaman ninyo nga kahit ito man po ang epekto ng krisis sa inyo, maramdaman ninyo na nandito po ang gobyerno particularly ang DSWD. Ito naman po ang utos ni President Bongbong Marcos na huwag pababayaan ang mga napauwing OFW, at sabi din ng secretary namin na mabigyan kayo ng agarang tulong. Nanghinaut kami nga sa gamay nga tabang, makatabok kamo sa kapit-os sa kinabuhi kasi Meron pa po tayong mga ahensya sa gobyerno nga andam mutabang sa inyoha, (We hope that despite the effects of this crisis on your lives, you will feel that the government, particularly the DSWD, is here for you. This is also the directive of President Bongbong Marcos that returning OFWs should not be neglected and our Secretary also instructed us to provide you with immediate assistance.

We hope that through this small help, you will be able to overcome life’s hardships because there are still government agencies ready to support and assist you.)” RD Flo said.

Rosalinda Villarmino became emotional as she received the assistance from the department.

“Wala ko nagdahum nga ma-apil ko nga mahatagan og assistance sa DSWD para pang-sugod og negosyo. Salamat kaayo sa inyoha, (I did not expect that I would be chosen to receive assistance from the DSWD to help start a business. Thank you very much to all of you.)” she shared tearfully.

Meanwhile, Rezel Panta expressed gratitude for the swift response of DSWD in addressing their needs upon returning home.

“Dali ra ang pagtubag sa DSWD sa amoa. Gikan sa Manila, pagka-ugma mibisita dayon ko sa DSWD, then kinabukasan gitawagan dayon ko sa staff ug gi-endorse sa SLP hangtod nga nagtuloy-tuloy na dayon. Dali ra ang proseso, wala mi lisod-lisora, (The DSWD responded to us very quickly. After arriving from Manila, I immediately visited the DSWD the next day, then the following day, the staff already called me and endorsed me to the SLP until the process continued smoothly. The process was fast, and we did not experience any difficulties.)” she said.

Prior to the payout, both beneficiaries underwent Micro-Enterprise Development Training and Financial Education sessions to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills in managing finances and preparing for the establishment of their proposed businesses.