Laoag City--The city government here is set to grant financial relief to displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are registering new business here.
The approved measure was sponsored by Laoag councilor Handy T. Lao in connection with RA No. 11494 also known as the“Bayanihan Recover as One Act” which provides that “the State shall establish mechanism to reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19 ion the socioeconomic well-being of all Filipinos through the provision of assistance, subsidies and other forms of socio-economic relief”.
According to Lao, there are several OFWs from Laoag who lost their jobs, work or employment abroad during the COVID-19 either through “end of contract”, termination, resignation, dismissal, or other mode of termination that needs financial relief in registering new business during the year 2021.
The urgent measure further states that the displaced OFWs shall submit proof of work or employment abroad, notice of termination or any proof of termination and proof of identity at the BPLO Office for assistance.
The displaced OFW will be granted free mayor’s permit fee or business tax; individual’s mayor’s permit; fees for sealing and licensing weights and measures; large cattle registration and transfer fees; registration fees on fishing boats, tricycles, bicycles and caratela or calesa; fishery rental or fees; police clearance fees; service fees for health examination; sanitary inspection fees; and garbage fees.
Relative to this, the provincial government’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) officer Anne Marie Lizette Bitancor-Atuan requested the PESO office-Laoag to extend special assistance to 13 qualified beneficiaries who are from the city by providing them a free business permit fee for a period of one year.
The request was the implementation of a “Negosyo Sa Kariton” (Livelihood Program for Emergency Employment), a program specifically conceived to extend assistance through an emergency employment with returning displaced OFW’s due to COVID-19. (Dominic B. dela Cruz)