Valderrama: Governor Paolo Everardo Javier has been urged to prioritize the common-law wife of a seafarer in the hiring of locally-funded teachers. The seafarer, Jude Pagunsan, was among those who died when their vessel M/V Venturo was hit by a drone attack while passing through the coast of Odesa, Ukraine, from Varna, Bulgaria on July 18 this year. His remains arrived in his hometown, Valderrama, on Aug. 30, said Board Member Karmila Rose Dimamay, chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Labor and Employment at the Provincial Board, in an interview on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, 'Through the assistance of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the remains of Pagunsan were transported home in Valderrama on Aug. 30,' Dimamay said. Pagunsan's partner, whose name Dimamay did not disclose, was an education graduate but decided to work as a full-time housewife to take care of their two children, the board member added.

The children are still in their elementary years, so they really need financial assistance, Dimamay said. 'I am also requesting OWWA if it could provide a full scholarship for Pagunsan's children until they finish school,' Dimamay said. OWWA and DMW extended an initial PHP200,000 financial assistance to the family. Dimamay will also request the provincial government to provide burial assistance.