Binalonan: The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Ilocos Region (OWWA-1) organized an Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Welfare, Health and Membership Serbisyo Caravan in Pangasinan, providing essential services to more than 1,000 OFWs and their families.

According to Philippines News Agency, OWWA Central Office Director of Operations Dr. Nestor Burayag highlighted that the Alagang OWWA Program aims to bring vital welfare, health, membership, and government services directly to beneficiaries. This includes active, returning, and transit OFWs, as well as their dependents and families. The caravan serves as a multi-agency platform offering access to government services, welfare, health, memberships, documentation, social protection, and other critical support.

Dr. Burayag noted that the activity enhances OWWA's regular programs by providing timely, needs-based, and client-centered assistance to OFWs and their families. He emphasized that OWWA has institutionalized the caravan as a regular activity, with previous events held in San Juan, La Union, and future ones scheduled for Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, and Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

Joan Occe±a from Laoac, Pangasinan, whose sister works as an OFW in Saudi Arabia, expressed gratitude for the services provided by the caravan. She mentioned that another sister had benefited from the OWWA educational program and is now gainfully employed.

Lorgem Selga, also from Laoac, Pangasinan, thanked the national government agencies for their support, mentioning she received PHP5,000 from the provincial government as a distressed or displaced OFW. She plans to use the money as additional capital for her food business.

Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico IV affirmed the caravan's significance, especially in a town with a large population of OFWs.