PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said his government continues to foster stronger ties with countries hosting overseas Filipino workers (OFW) as he committed to ensure the safety, welfare, and well-being of the millions of migrant workers abroad.
In his video message in celebration of the 28th National Migrant Workers’ Day, Marcos acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of the country’s “modern day heroes” whom he said have left an “indelible mark” in every corner of the world and has “uplifted both your host countries and our nation in the process.”
“Your contributions have enriched the lives of countless individuals and societies to your different professions and capacities. Despite the miles that separate us, your heart and soul remain firmly rooted in our homeland and your unwavering love for our nation shines bright,” the President said.
“Your hard-earned reward has likewise nurtured dreams, elevated livelihoods and fueled the engine of progress in our beloved Philippines,” he added.
The President said the government understands the challenges that OFWs have been dealing with, from living far from their loved ones to adjusting to new cultures, among others.
“That’s why this administration will continue to foster stronger ties with countries that host our migrant workers, ensuring their safety, welfare, and well-being. As you build your dreams in far-off lands and seas, do know that you are not alone. The entire nation stands with you every step of the way and all of us are united in pride and in admiration for the work that gives you meaning and purpose,” Marcos said.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that there are about 1.83 million documented OFWs as of 2021, with the top destinations being the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The total remittance sent by OFWs from April to September 2021 reached P151.33 billion.
DMW-DTI PARTNERSHIP
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have forged an agreement to help OFWs and their families start their own business so they can have stable income once they return to the country.
In a statement, Ople said the agreement will make accessible to OFWs and their families business training and mentorship programs “that would enable them to stay together while also providing jobs for them.”
“Our OFWs contribute to our economy through their dollar remittances but at some point in their lives, they would also need to come home and create sustainable sources of income through entrepreneurship, sound investments or by landing a better job here at home,” Ople said.
Among the features of the DMW-DTI partnership are assistance in the business registration process for OFWs, inclusion of OFWs and their families in DTI’s business training and development programs, financial literacy training courses for OFWs in partnership with DMW offices worldwide and OWWA regional offices for OFW families nationwide, OFW products and services to be included in DTI trade fairs, and linking up of OFW companies/products/services with large companies and government agencies to improve market access and promotions.
Ople said the DTI will also issue a certificate to OFWs or members of their families who have successfully registered their businesses and underwent entrepreneurship training as an endorsement to any livelihood or financial assistance to be granted by the DMW.
She said the DMW will identify, evaluate, and submit a list of potential beneficiaries and applicants to existing DTI programs and services.
A Joint Technical Working Group will be created to monitor the implementation of the DMW-DTI agreement while continuing to strengthen its implementation and work for its expansion through Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) around the world and in cooperation with various local governments.
Ople said that the agreement with DTI and seven other major reintegration partners is in line with the President’s directive to help transform an OFW’s work journey into “inspirational stories for all time.”
“We want them to come back with excitement in their hearts on what the future holds for them and their families through meaningful partnerships across the government bureaucracy and with NGOs and private companies serving as their mentors and cheerleaders,” Ople said.
The DMW also forged seven other partnerships yesterday as part of the celebration of the National Migrant Workers’ Day for the very first time as an agency of the government.
Every year, on June 7, the Philippines marks “National Migrant Workers’ Day” to celebrate the signing of Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995.
Aside from the DTI, the DMW inked an agreement with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), a national government agency which aims to promote the sustained growth of cooperatives in the Philippines. OFWs will be encouraged to participate and join cooperatives to build further opportunities for livelihood and income.
The DMW also entered into new agreements to strengthen its existing relationships with civil society organizations known for promoting the welfare of OFWs such as the Wimler Foundation Hong Kong Ltd., which conducts mentoring and counselling services for OFWs, and OFW-tailored pre-migration orientation seminars created by Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Initiatives (ATIKHA).
It also inked partnerships with three private sector organizations, including F.R. Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation, for construction workers’ skills training and employment, and financial literacy and connectivity collaboration with Western Union and PLDT Global.
The DMW’s partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), on the other hand, opens opportunities for OFWs and their families to be trained in leadership, social entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial literacy by one of the country’s top universities.
“We thank all our partners in both government and the private sector as we strive to put together a full cycle of reintegration services for our OFWs,” Ople said. — With Raymond Africa
