OFW returnees in I. Norte attend livelihood, skills training

Twenty-nine distressed female Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Ilocos Norte have availed themselves of the 3-day livelihood and skills training and seminar on souvenir and gift items implemented by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA-RWOI) at the Ilocos Norte Capitol-Auditorium last December 3-5.

Established under the Department of Labor and Employment’s “Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanap-buhay” project, the event was spearheaded by OWWA in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, and National Tobacco Administration.

The program aims to lead the female OFW returnees to great business opportunities by fostering their creativity and boosting their entrepreneurial skills.

Resource speaker for the training was Abiendo Malaqui, a seasoned arts-and-crafts lecturer who is also working at the Provincial Tourism Office.

According to OWWA-RWOI Supervising Administrative Officer Marivic Mondina who is currently based in San Fernando City, La Union, the training was focused on the fundamentals of crafting various novelty items, particularly Christmas decors and home accents through the use of indigenous materials while the seminar oriented the participants on product costing and financial literacy.

Mondina also expressed her awe regarding Governor Imee R. Marcos’ support to the program and her advocacy for livelihood development which include the provision of seed capital to small-scale businesses in the province.

Upon the completion of the program, each participant was awarded with Certificate of Attendance.—Grazielle Mae A. Sales, PGIN-CMO