LAGAWE, IFUGAO — There is something special invigorating the economic life of this municipality. It’s the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) giving that strong push to raise the municipal revenues.
The Kiangan Overseas Foreign Workers Society (KOFWS) is enticing OFWs who returned to this Ifugao town for good and share in the task of developing Kiangan.
Amid praises from the government on the matter of describing them as “unsung heroes,” Kiangan’s OFWs stay in the background but, in reality are playing a high-key role in stimulating the town’s economy.
Truth to tell, remittances of OFWs are keeping alive the Philippine economy.
Remittances from Filipinos abroad in February of this year registered at $2.53 billion, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Remittances come in personal or cash types. An estimated more than 10 million OFWs are classified as either land-based or sea-based workers.
By country, the biggest portion, or nearly 80 percent, of cash remittances for January and February of 2018 came from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Qatar, Germany, Hong Kong and Canada.
Today, the KOFWS is one of the most active non-government organizations (NGOs) in this predominantly agricultural town.
The municipal government, led by Mayor Joselito Guyguyon, has lauded the programs, projects and activities of the KOFWS.
Among the KOFWS’ ongoing projects are propagation of water-bonsai trees, polymer beads and accessories making and renting of facility equipment and furnishings such as mono bloc chairs.
“The challenge facing our organization now is to maximize and harness the skills and talents of our members as one of the valuable mechanisms in contributing to the growth and development of our beloved town,” Mary Luz Bayawon said. She is the president of the KOFWS.
“We are working closely with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, municipal government and other national agencies,” Bayawon pointed out, noting that the KOFWS is active year-round.
This is an indication that the KOFWS has positioned itself as one of the major NGOs in Ifugao.
Bayawon and her other officers, in particular, and the KOFWS, in general, have kept a low profile for most of the time in Kiangan.
Yet, it conducted a financial literacy training program in 2016 and took part in a case management training program in Baguio City in the same year. Likewise, the KOFWS sponsored a fund-raising activity concert in 2016.
Financial literacy has always been our advocacy, and as head of the organization, I am taking on the task of raising awareness on the value of hard work and discipline at work,” Bayawon stressed.
Bayawon said she also remained “confident” the KOFWS will pursue other noteworthy projects and activities.
To date, officers and members are clamoring for assistance on food catering business. Known for their passion for cooking, extension of funds for such project is well worth considering. A better idea is pooling their resources for the KOFWS restaurant offering superb cuisines and meticulously prepared by a skilled OFW chef.
Likewise, it is suggested that the conduct of a forum on Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) deployment of OFWs in strife-torn countries updates be pursued.
Others are seeking a helping hand on a livestock venture, particularly on swine raising. It is also hard to ignore the potentials of training members on cosmetology and repair of umbrellas and shoes.
There is one thing that definitely stands out with the KOFWS for it actively takes part in important events in the village, municipal and provincial levels. Among them were barangay fiestas, Kiangan Town Fiesta, both in 2016, and the Provincial Migrants Day in Hungduan in 2016.
The KOFWS is joining this year’s fiesta as an exhibitor at the trade fair. That’s why everyone present in the MSWD function room last April 20 cheered when the announcement was made.
There is also something distinct about the KOFWS in as much as it conducted an outreach program two years ago at Bolog Day Care Center. Parents of children-beneficiaries deeply appreciated the assistance extended by the KOFWS.
“Another outreach program is being planned, this time around for inmates at the provincial jail at Tiger Hill in barangay Baguinge,” Bayawon told the ZigZag Weekly.
Projects and activities abound, despite meager resources. Asked if assistance is being extended by the provincial government, there was an errie silence.
Did a provincial government official ever talk to them and feel their pulses right after the 2016 polls? In other provinces, funds were allocated for livelihood projects of OFWs. They now have thriving businesses.
“The KOFWS envisions a future in which members contribute to nation-building and inclusive growth through the implementation of projects geared on providing gainful livelihood ventures,” she said.
Indeed, in so many respects the KOFWS has easily gained the reputation as a prime mover in strengthening the role of OFWs in this part of the province.
This secures a rich place for the KOFWS in the history of the province, paving the way for other NGOs and people’s organizations (POs) to emulate. The KOFWS has proven that the dreams of the OFWS can be achieved. It has done a very good job in assisting its members.
All told, the KOFWS can lay claim to the strong ties between officers, coordinators and members. The “mountains of support,” as imposing as the majestic rice terraces at Nagacadan village, being extended by the rank and file of the KOFWS were seen as stone-walled fortifications to overcome difficulties.
At the officers’ quarterly meeting, it is not hard to understand the experience of an OFW in Taiwan bravely battling the problem of “home sickness.” She is often wondering there what is happening to her family and visualizing the images of the “bukid” or farm life in Kiangan.
Underlying it all is that deep-seated, heavy social costs of sending a mother to work abroad since the government cannot provide decent and high-paying jobs for its people. For instance, a five-year old Kiangan girl is growing up without the tender loving care of a mother who works as a domestic in Hong Kong.
Officers include Elizabeth Dulnuan, vice president; Marlyn Dumangeng, secretary; Norma Palaghicon, treasurer; Grace Buyagawon, auditor; Geronima Dulnuan and Florence Bahni, business managers; Marietta Tadios, public relations officer; and Aurelia Nadyahan, Vilma Puguon and Lucia Malingan, sergeants-at-arms.
Coordinators are Jemma Dulawan and Nora Dulnuan, barangay Ambabag; Bergely Ambohnon and Erlinda Dinulog, Baguinge; Rosa Taguiling and Jocelyn Codamon, Tuplac; Adelaida Cabaccan and Teresita Licyayo, Poblacion; Nancy Puguon, Nagacadan; Arsenio Dulnuan, Julongan; Cristina Licyayo, Marlyn Bunnag and Elma Aluwac, Duit; Catherine Palaghicon and esther Alindayo, Pindongan; Nora Maimban, Hucab and Bolog; and Mary Taguiling and Luz Calingayan, Riverside.
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Mario Indopia serve as adviser of the KOFWS.
The KOFWS has 178 members. It was registered at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in 2010.
Arguably, no one has the distinction of having caring and dedicated members- 147 women and 31 men, in an organization committed to the primacy of the rights and well-being of OFWs in Ifugao than the KOFWS. They are all primed to the knowledge and interest of advancing the awareness programs on issues affecting the OFWs. For all of them have their compelling “blood, sweat and tears” stories to share. **By Anthony A. Araos
