Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Arnaldo Ignacio and Rizza Joy Moldes, officer-in-charge of the OWWA Regional Welfare Office VI, joined the 1st OFW Summit Nov. 8 at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
The summit was participated in by more than 300 overseas Filipino workers and their families from16 barangay OFW organizations in Talisay City.
Ignacio and Moldes delivered their messages of support and solidarity to the OFWs and their kin, as well as thanked the OWWA’s partner agencies. The administrator also highlighted the importance of having OFW groups in the barangays.
Beneficiaries of the Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay livelihood program, Welfare Assistance Program, and death insurance were also awarded, the OWWA6 press release said.
The activity was attended by Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, Floramie Magbato of the POEA-Bacolod Satellite Office, Jelen Paclarin of the Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau, Charisse Jordan of Safe and Fair-UN Women Philippines, Atty. Rowena Lizares of Angels’ Wings Foundation Inc., Marie June Castro of the Negros Occidental provincial government, and Salvacion Barrios, president of the OFW Federation of Negros Occidental Inc. and co-chair of the Provincial Committee in Migration and Development.
Last week, OWWA6 also took part in the mass oath-taking of officials of 15 barangay OFW organizations in Bacolod City, as part of the Parokya ng OWWA program.
The activity, held at the Bacolod Government Center, was participated in by about 150 newly elected officers, with executive assistant Carmeli Bantug-Zayco swearing them in, in behalf of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez.
Moldes congratulated the leaders and members during the event also attended by Councilor Celia Flor.
The Parokya ng OWWA aims to address the psychosocial and relational needs of the OFWs and their families at the community level in all regional and provincial units, with the networked assistance of local government units, nongovernment and civil society organizations, and the private sector.
This project will address the need to disseminate information, not only on OWWA programs but on prevailing issues and solutions relating to migration in general, and the welfare and work conditions overseas, in particular, the OWWA said. ||
