Dispatch for november 27 , 2013 ( wednesday ) , 8 pia calabarzon pr , 18 weather watch,

Yolanda's rage. The deplorable situation of these areas triggers the natural response of individuals to escape and find better areas to settle on.

"The challenge for LGU officials lay on implementing identity checks on the individuals exiting these areas, especially those adults with children in tow," De Lima claimed.

Typhoon Yolanda (International Name: Haiyan), considered as one of the strongest storms to have made landfall in the Philippines left a trail of devastation. With winds gusting up to more than 270km/h, thousands of Filipinos have been displaced and majority rendered homeless.

"As we rebuild from the ruins left by that massive storm, we must stay cautious against dodgy characters lurking and seeking to exploit the vulnerabilities of those who survived Yolanda," De Lima concluded. |TOP| OWWA RWO3 holds First Stakeholders Conference on Reintegration Program Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph The two-day seminar-workshop dubbed Central Luzon Reintegration-EDT-IT Stakeholders Conference invited the grantees, beneficiaries, concerned groups and co-implementers of reintegration programs and services from the partner-government agencies and private sector to evaluate the agency‘s efforts and obtain inputs to effectively assist the OFWs and their families‘ return to normalcy in the society through its programs and services.

Among the thrusts of the conference were to restudy the social preparation aspect of the Reintegration Program and to develop interventions to assist the program beneficiaries. In establishing common understanding of the needs of OFWs/returnees intending to engage in business, the presence of government agencies, LGUs, non-government organizations and private sectors would help harmonize and organize the programs, services and efforts of each in providing and implementing livelihood-related services to OFWs alongside each entity‘s commitment in implementing the convergent programs and/or services for OFWs. Furthermore, the conference also stressed the importance of current information/computer technology in all phases of business/livelihood undertakings from business planning to implementation.

Representatives from the following national and local government offices/units and non-government sectors were present during the conference: Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Department of Labor and Employment Department of Agriculture (DA) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Public Employment Service Offices Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Offices State Universities and Colleges with extension programs on entrepreneurship Kabalikat ng Migranteng Pilipino, Inc. (KAMPI) Private sector partners Successful OFW entrepreneurs and those experiencing difficulty in their respective entrepreneurial endeavours.

OWWA RWO3 Director Ma. Lourdes V. Reyes called on the active participation of each representative. She also took the opportunity to present OWWA‘s Reintegration Program for OFWs and OFW returnees intending to engage in business.

OFW entrepreneurs -- Bernardo Calilung of Tarlac, Rogelio Balagtas and Myrna Yabut of Pampanga, all beneficiaries of OWWA‘s 2-Billion Reintegration Program who are now running their own businesses courtesy of the loan -- shared their insights during the seminar. They shared their needs, difficulties, adversities and best practices encountered in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Representatives of partner-entities presented their programs and/or services relative to OFW livelihood and/or business opportunities. They were Mylene Evangelista (DOLE-Regional Office 3), Judith Angeles (DTI-RO3), Charito Libut (DA RO3), Rolando Santos (LBP), Nida Duco (PESO Tarlac), Marvi dela Cruz (PCEDO Tarlac), Linda Mae A. Fernandez (TCA), and Dr. Felicisima E. Tungol (BPSU Orani Campus).

The workshop served as venue to determine the gaps of the Reintegration Program and to develop interventions and strategies which may be adopted in ensuring the viability and expanded reach of the program in the Region. |TOP|