30/07/2026
Empowering Our Local Workers & Kasambahays through Financial Literacy and Community Advocacy
The City Government of Parañaque, through the Parañaque Workers Affairs Office (PWAO) headed by Ms. Shella B. Bernal, MMPA, in collaboration with the Parañaque Cooperative Development Office (PCDO) led by Ms. Josephine Salomon, successfully conducted the 4th Learning Seminar on Financial Literacy for Parañaque Workers and Kasambahay.
This event marked the final batch of sessions dedicated to empowering the hardworking labor force and domestic workers of our 2nd District, specifically welcoming participants from:
• Brgy. Marcelo Green
• Brgy. Merville
• Brgy. San Martin de Porres
• Brgy. Sun Valley
We were also honored by the presence and support of local barangay leaders, including:
• Kagawad Ma. Cristina Beltran (Brgy. Marcelo Green)
• Kagawad Jocelyn Bautista (Brgy. San Martin de Porres)
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The seminar opened with a solemn prayer and the solemn singing of the National Anthem, setting a meaningful tone for a day dedicated to community empowerment.
1. Anti-Drug Abuse Awareness & Prevention
To promote holistic well-being and workplace safety, representatives from the Parañaque Anti-Drug Abuse Office (PADAO), under the leadership of OIC Mr. Kristian Johannes Buhay, shared vital insights:
• Mr. John Merarza, MMPA (Division Head) unpacked the root causes and underlying factors that lead individuals to substance dependency.
• Ms. Carla Dela Cruz (Preventive Education Officer) discussed key anti-drug laws, emphasized the serious impact of substance abuse on families, and highlighted the importance of community-driven prevention efforts.
2. Core Financial Literacy & Cooperative Education
The main segment featured engaging discussions from expert resource speakers who inspired and energized the participants:
• Mr. William V. Cortez (CDS II) demystified the concept of cooperatives, passionately explaining their fundamental structure and immense value. He shared how joining a cooperative serves as an essential financial safety net—offering workers and kasambahays a reliable, supportive network during unexpected emergencies.
• Wrapping up the session, practical, real-world strategies were shared to help attendees track daily expenses, build consistent savings habits, and effectively grow their hard-earned income for a secure future.
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE FROM PWAO OIC MS. SHELLA B. BERNAL
In her message, Ms. Shella B. Bernal, MMPA, emphasized PWAO’s continuous mandate and commitment to championing the rights, welfare, and capacity-building of all Parañaqueño workers and kasambahays.
She highlighted how crucial financial literacy is in our daily lives—not merely as a tool for managing income, but as a foundation for achieving long-term stability, peace of mind, and security for every family. Ms. Bernal expressed her deep gratitude to the resource speakers for sharing their valuable knowledge, as well as to the supportive department heads and partner offices whose collaboration made the seminar series a success.
DEPARTMENT LEADERS SHOW UNIFIED SUPPORT
Demonstrating strong inter-office solidarity, key department heads attended the seminar to extend their full support to PWAO and assist in awarding Certificates of Appreciation to our distinguished resource speakers:
• Ms. Josephine Salomon, OIC of PCDO
• Ms. Lolit Duria, OIC of LEDIPO
• Ms. Rebecca Eusebio, OIC of Fisherman’s Wharf (Bulungan)
• Dra. Karen Vicencio, OIC of Veterinary Services Office
As this impactful learning series comes to a close, the City Government of Parañaque reaffirms its dedication to uplifting every Parañaqueño worker and kasambahay. Financial empowerment provides the tools needed for stability, dignity, and a brighter future. By learning how to save, budget, and leverage cooperative support, our labor force becomes stronger and more resilient.
💚Thank you to all our participants, speakers, and partner offices for making this final batch a resounding success!
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