TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Cordillera (OWWA-CAR) affirmed its commitment to bring its services closer to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families with the inauguration of the OWWA Kalinga Field Office at Purok 3, Bulanao Norte on May 7.
OWWA-CAR Regional Director Martel R. Dasayon in his keynote message said that the new field office will cater not only to the 12,000 OFWs in the province but also those from nearby provinces of CAR, Region 1 and Region 2.
“We do not fail, we cannot fail to address the concerns of OFWs within or outside of our region,” he said as he emphasized OWWA’s mandate to address the concerns of OFWs wherever they are.
Director Dasayon outlined key initiatives of the agency including the profiling of OFWs for endorsement to Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for upskilling programs, establishment of OFW lounge and seafarer’s hub in Manila to assist OFWs, and forging bilateral agreement with others countries to protect the rights and privileges of Filipinos overseas.
He noted that addressing the needs of OFWs entails a whole-of-nation approach with partnerships among government agencies, local governments, private sector, and civil society organizations.
Governor James S. Edduba, and Kalinga’s Lone District Representative Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang, represented by Fernando Cosidon, reaffirmed commitments to support OWWA’s programs.
Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero, represented by City Public Information Officer Aurora D. Amilig, said that the presence of a field office in the province translates to a more accessible and effective support services to OFWs and a testament to the importance placed on their contributions to the country.
Present during the event were Kalinga Provincial Police Office Director PLTCOL James Mangili, Provincial PESO Manager Ermelinda Wandag, Anabelle Cepeda of Landbank, Rose Oyawon of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Josephine Daliyong of the Department of Trade and Industry, Tabuk City PESO Manager Loyda Saboy, and a representative from the Office of the Mayor of Rizal. By Tabuk PIO
