The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Western Visayas turned over financial assistance worth P20,000 each to 26 distressed and displaced Overseas Filipino Workers from Negros Occidental during the celebration of Migrant Workers’ Day in Bacolod City on Friday, June 9.
The financial assistance is part of OWWA’s “Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay” (BPBH) Program that aims to give distressed or displaced OFWs immediate relief for a start-up or additional capital for a livelihood project.
The turnover of assistance was one of the highlights of the celebration of the Migrant Workers’ Day in Bacolod City, which was attended by about 500 OFWs from 51 organizations from different local government units of Negros Occidental.
OWWA-Western Visayas Head Rizza Joy Moldes said the event was held to recognize and celebrate the hard work, sacrifices, and love of the OFWs for their families and to the country.
This year’s theme “OFWS: Saan Man Panig ng Munod. Galing at Katatagan mo’y Hinahangaan” highlights the Filipinos’ will to always excel in delivering quality service, she said.
“The OFWs are known to give world-class quality service but sadly this is also paired with sacrifices and challenges along the way,” she said, adding that “behind all these challenges, the OFWs have remained steadfast not just for themselves but for their love for their families.”
Every June 7 of the year, the country marks “National Migrant Workers’ Day” to celebrate the signing of Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995.
Moldes said that this is also a way to recognize the unsung heroes of the country because of their contribution to the national economy.
OWWA-6 also gave 17 recognition awards to various organizations and LGUs that helped the agency in implementing their programs.
They also awarded scholarships to some of the children of OFWs in Negros.*