SIBAGAT, AGUSAN DEL SUR — Twenty participants from Barangays Kolambugan, Padiay, and Perez are taking part in the Entrepreneurial Mindsetting and Retail Management Seminars on August 28, 2026, in Barangay Kolambugan, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. The training is part of the Organizational Development Training organized by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through Negosyo Center Sibagat, with support from the Local Government Unit of Sibagat. The initiative seeks to help OWWA beneficiaries and their families develop practical skills for establishing and maintaining sustainable livelihood ventures, particularly in retail.
Building Skills for Greater Financial Independence
For the participating beneficiaries, the seminars provide an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that can help them establish alternative sources of income. Families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) often depend on remittances, which may be affected by changing economic conditions and circumstances abroad. Through entrepreneurship and retail management training, participants are encouraged to develop income-generating activities that can provide greater financial stability and reduce reliance on remittances. The sessions focus on practical areas such as business planning, customer service, inventory control, and financial record-keeping. These competencies can help participants manage day-to-day business operations and make informed decisions when starting or expanding a retail venture. Such training is particularly valuable in rural communities like Sibagat, where employment opportunities may be more limited.
Strengthening Livelihoods and Local Communities
The program aims not only to benefit individual participants but also to contribute to stronger and more economically resilient communities. By developing entrepreneurial capabilities, beneficiaries can establish businesses that generate income while potentially creating employment opportunities within their communities. The partnership among OWWA Caraga, DTI Agusan del Sur, and the LGU of Sibagat demonstrates a shared effort to promote livelihood development and financial self-sufficiency at the grassroots level. Participants can also benefit from mentoring opportunities and business networks that may support their ventures beyond the training. Through programs such as this, OWWA continues to assist OFWs and their families by providing pathways toward sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and greater economic independence.
