Villar Foundation Extend Help to Repatriated OFWs

With optimistic views on the economy of the Philippines, and the financial crisis in some European countries like Greece and Spain, many OFWs are being repatriated back to the country. However, they would usually come home empty handed due to the cost of going back, and even some of them were victims of abuse from their employers. 

Its great to hear NGOs like the Villar Foundation to help our fellow Pinoy to come back home safe and sound. But it does not only end there because they would also extend an additional assistance in the form of livelihood package to help them start with small yet practical businesses.

Villar steps up OFW support with Liveluihood Assistance to seven Needy OFWs extended livelihood grants

In line with its 20th year anniversary, The Villar Foundation is extending livelihood grants to seven overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who sought the help of the foundation though its Sagip-OFW program.

Cynthia Villar, Managing Director of the Villar Foundation, personally met with the seven OFW beneficiaries and handed them the livelihood assistance packages at as simple gathering at Max's Restaurant at Starmall Shaw.

"Many OFWs who are either  repatriated or returned to country on their own, have a difficult time restarting their lives here. They need help in the form of jobs and livelihood opportunties. The livelihood assistance we extend to them are just enough  to get them started, it is up to them to make the small business grow," Villar said.

The seven OFWs who received the livelihood packages are Simeon A. Cerezo, Shally Mar Cruz, Romielyn Daguplo, Joanalin Pascua, Joselito V. So, Jovita Tallada, and Jose Gerardo Vasquez. All whom are  former OFWs in the Middle East, except fro Tallada who was from Singapore.

"We are aware that it is not enough to repatriate distressed OFWs, we need to help them reintegrated as a productive member of the society. Tinutulungan namin sila sa abot ng aming makakayanan, dahil alam namin ang hirap at sakripisyo na kanilang kinakaharap (We try to help them in every way we can because we knoe the hardships and sacrifices that OFWs are facing)," cites Villar

Dagpulo and Pascua were two OFWs from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) repatriated by the Villar Foundation last May. Dagpulo, said she does not want to be a burden to her mother who is a houseship in Las Pinas. Pascua needs to support her three children. Both OFWs have set up a small carinderia (eatery) and sari-sari store.

Cruz, who has repatriated from Syria in November last year has just given birth recently and sought assistance to provide for the needs of her newborn child.

The Other OFW beneficiaries -Tallada, Cerezo, Vasquez and So- due to their advanced age are havig difficulty finding employment. Thus livelihood packages will be a source of income that will enable them to support their respective families.

Villar distributed the grocery packages will be a source of income  that will enable them to support their respective families.

Villar distributed the grocery packages from Puregold to the seven OFWs who expressed gratitude to the Villar Foundation for the livelihood support.

The sagip OFW program of the Villar Foundation extends  various forms of assistance to OFWs: repatriation, medical, livelihood packages, skills-up training, scholarships among others. In November, it will again stage the OFW and Family Summit, which provides livelihood and business opportunites to OFWs and their families.Over 5,000 attended the summit last year. It is in partnership with GoNegosyo.