LINGAYEN , Philippines– The provincial government of Pangasinan has launched a two-pronged program to provide security and livelihood to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
In a statement, the provincial government said the program involves working with a federation of OFW groups for the implementation of a community-based, anti-illegal recruitment and livelihood project dubbed “Bantay-Barangay, Tulong Hanapbuhay.”
The project is a strategic, comprehensive and innovative anti-illegal recruitment, human trafficking and poverty alleviation program, geared at training OFWs and their families to protect their communities against illegal recruiters and human traffickers.
Earlier, the provincial employment and services office (PESO) organized OFW family associations in 44 towns and three cities into a single federation.
Gov. Amado Espino Jr., who attended the program launching last Wednesday at the PESO multi-purpose hall, stressed the importance of human resource in development.
Espino said OFWs have been a great contributor in the province economic development.
He pledged to support OFW family associations affiliated with the federation and registered with the Labor department.
“I am here to help you. All you have to do is to keep in touch with PESO through its OFW Desk,” Espino said.
Meanwhile, PESO chief Alex Ferrer said the province is intensifying its manpower and skills development by going back to basics through agri-based projects.