Prov’l Gov’t inks MOU with POEA, OWWA, TESDA and DOLE for an illegal recruitment-free community

Lingayen- - -Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to bolster the national government’s campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

            Amuerfina R. Reyes, Deputy Administrator of the POEA, said that the MOU strengthens the partnership of the provincial government and the agency along with other local government units (LGUs) and attached agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Technical Employment Services Development Authority (TESDA) in the fight against illegal recruitment and human trafficking in the country.

            Reyes said that the MOU has three salient features which include massive information campaign, establishment of OFW Help Desk, and enumeration of corrective measures or law enforcement measures against illegal recruiters.

            Meanwhile, the provincial government through the Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) is continuously embarking on innovative strategies to fully protect the local OFWs.

            Gov. Espino said that the present administration has set its sight in tapping the cooperation of the LGUs especially the barangay political units.

            The governor said that part of the strategy is the launching of the Bantay Barangay Tulong OFW program.

            PESO Manager Alex F. Ferrer said the program will require an agreement with the LGUs to ensure a more effective campaign.

            Before the MOU signing, the governor distributed livelihood checks for six groups of overseas workers as start-up capital for business.

            This was preceded by the courtesy call of the regional awardees for Best PESO Awards and Model OFW Family of the Year Award and the oath-taking of the Pangasinan OFW Federation Officers.

            Coinciding with the event are other connected undertakings such as pre-employment orientation seminar held at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) Lingayen campus, and anti-illegal recruitment (AIR) seminar at the PESO Bldg. (former United Way building). (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)