Governor Amado I. Espino, III awarded P1.6 million-worth check to the 2nd batch beneficiaries of Bigasang-Bayani Project for the calendar year 2017 at the Urduja House on November 6.
Bigasang-Bayani Project is a joint livelihood undertaking of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under its Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (ILEEP) and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan thru the Provincial Employment and Services Office’s (PESO) Bantay-Barangay, Tulong Hanapbuhay Program.
Assisted by DOLE Regional Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra and PESO Manager Alex F. Ferrer, the provincial chief executive handed over the grant, shouldered by the DOLE and the provincial government amounting to a total of Php 1,801,800.
Eight OFW Family Associations received financial assistance: Alaminos City OFW & Family Association; Anda OFW Family Association; Asingan OFW Family Association; Basista OF/W Family Association; Bugallon OF/W Family Association; Dasol OFW Association; San Quintin OF/W Family Association; and Sison OFW Family Association.
Earlier, Ferrer noted that the Bigasang Bayani, a first in the country, is one of the components of Pangasinan Migration and Development Council’s (PMDC) flagship program Bantay Barangay, Tulong Hanapbuhay which initially enabled OFW mapping all over the province establishing the OFW family association, and eventually the province-wide Pangasinan OFW Family Federation Incorporated (POFFI).
It can be recalled that three Bigasang-Bayani rice retailing stores were earlier launched in three different towns of Pangasinan on June 28 – Mangaldan, San Jacinto and Manaoag.
By Dexter A. See