Villar Foundation Provided Livelihood Assistance

 

Few days ago I attended a simple gathering at Max’s restaurant Shaw Boulevard, a turnover ceremony of livelihood assistance by the Villar Foundation. The beneficiaries are the OFW’s repatriated by the said foundation few months ago. 

Cynthia Villar, Managing Director of the Villar Foundation, personally handed to seven OFW’s a livelihood assistance package to start a sari-sari store business.

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

---

“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 opportunities. The livelihood assistance we extend to them are just enough to get them started, it is up to them to make their small business grow,” Mrs. Villar said

---

Romielyn Daguplo and Joanalin Pascua were the OFWs from the UAE repatriated by the Villar Foundation last May (read my post here). Daguplo used to work as a house helper in Las Pinas wanting to help her mom she decided to work abroad. Like Romielyn, Joanalin needs to provide the needs of her family, she has three children to feed and send to school.

---

“We are aware that it is not enough to repatriate distressed OFWs, we need to help them get reintegrated as productive members of the society. We try to help them in every way we can because we know the hardships and sacrifices that OFWs are facing.” she added

---

With the help of the Villar Foundation, the distressed OFWs were brought back in our country and started a new life. Both OFWs have set up a small eatery and sari-sari store, while Joselito V. So, Jovita Tallada and Jose Gerardo Vasquez are having difficulty landing a job because of their advanced age thus, the livelihood packages will be a source of income that will enable them to support their respective families.

SAGIP OFW Program of the Villar Foundation does not only provide livelihood assistance. In fact the foundation has several programs  including  skills-up training, scholarship and medical assistance.

In November,  the OFW and Family Summit in partnership with GoNegosyo will provide livelihood and business opportunities to OFWs and their families. Last year, over 5,000 attended the summit. This year, Villar Foundation is also celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the livelihood projects and social enterprises are the key advocacies of the foundation helping thousands of Filipinos and their families. To know more about the Villar Foundation, visit the official website at http://www.villarfoundation.org/