Veteran, young advocates meet, swap ideas during first OFW summit

Veteran pro-OFW advocates met their younger counterparts on Sunday, January 7, during the first-ever OFW Global Summit in Taguig City.

Various issues affecting OFWs were discussed, among them the plight of Filipino household helpers in the Middle East, the importance of financial literacy among OFWs, and reintegration program for returning OFWs.

Participants, among them government officials, took turns in suggesting doable solutions to the problems.

Regarding the many cases of maltreatment of Filipino domestic helpers in the Middle East, the government — particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) — were urged to augment its efforts in solving this problem.

Using the increase in their budgets for assisting distressed OFWs, the OWWA and the DFA were urged to implement win-win solutions like hiring more qualified personnel and lawyers adapted to Middle East culture.

Regarding reintegration of returning OFWs, it was suggested to OWWA to come up with programs on financial literacy, financial support and easy loans for OFW entrepreneurs.

Along this line, it was also suggested that a national registry system for returning OFWs be implemented to identify the skills classification and status of OFWs. The system could be utilized for job placements locally and as a basis to help in the nation-building projects either as skilled, technical or even professional pool of workers.

The participants also discussed the proposal to create a separate government department for OFWs and migrants, a campaign promise of President Rodrigo Duterte. All were in favor of this.

Before the summit, which had the theme "One Voice for Better Rights, Welfare and Protection of our OFWs," a motorcade was held from Quezon Memorial Circle up to the TESDA Complex in Taguig City, the event's venue.

Among those who graced the event and imparted their knowledge were OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, who represented Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, PEZA Director General Charito Plaza, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Frank Resma, ACTS-OFW party-list Representative John Bertiz, and Susan Ople, president of the Blas F. Ople Center, a group that assists distressed OFWs. —KBK, GMA News