Ignacio said that for the past years, the OWWA has been working alone, making it difficult to carry out all of their mandates.

“Ang mahalaga ay ma-ihatid namin sa iyo ang aming mensahe, tulong, at benepisyo. Kasama ang local government unit na kilalang-kilala kayo ay siyang magbibigay-gabay kung ano ang angkop na benepisyo ang maaaring i-abot sa mga OWFs na nandito at sa labas ng bansa (What's important is that we will be able to deliver you the help and benefits. With the local government unit who knows all of you, they will also help us in identifying the appropriate benefits to give to our OWFs here and outside the country),” Ignacio stated.

Further, OWWA and Tapaz LGU distributed P20,000.00 worth of livelihood assistance to each of the nine OFWs in Tapaz town during the MOA signing.

One of the beneficiaries, Gerlie Lorana from Brgy. San Miguel Ilaya, was a factory worker in Taiwan, but she went home because she would be transferred as a house helper. 

Lorana said she would use her money to create a small piggery in their backyard.

“Padayunon ko lang sa gihapon ang ginhatag sa akon nga kapital para sa akon nga piggery asta hindi siya madula kay may ara ako tatlo ka puya (I will continue to increase the capital that was given to me for my three children),” Lorana added. 

Moreover, Moldes thanked the local officials of Tapaz for their warm welcome and support to the agency and the OWFs.

“Indeed, this afternoon is a manifestation of victory because two agencies from the national government and local government unit, ang matabang para sa mga OFWs (will help the OFWs),” Moldes reiterated. 

For his part, Tapaz mayor Roberto Palomar is hopeful that with the creation of the OWWA office in Tapaz, there will be more opportunities for Tapaznon to apply abroad.

Likewise, should there be problems that they may encounter, they can go to the OWWA office and ask for protection.

The OWWA Region 6 has also a satellite office in Bacolod City. (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)