Press release from OWWA, May 30, 2011

The DOLE and its attached agencies will be celebrating its 1st NATIONAL CONGRESS OF OFWs AND FAMILIES on June 7th, Tuesday at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. This momentous event falls on Migrant Workers Day, the special day made for the Filipino overseas workers.

The National Congress of OFWs and Families aims to convene OFWs and families, and other stakeholders to draw up recommendations for program development and policy direction in fostering OFW sector development, and to develop a mechanism in the implementation of the billion peso reintegration program for enterprise development of OFWs.

The event’s highlight will be the launching of the 2 BILLION PESOS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM. This is a joint venture of the DOLE, OWWA, Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines. The program offers different enterprises flexible and easy loan term payments for its OFW availees. This is in support of the President’s desire to give sustainable businesses to the OFWs and their families.

The event will also showcase exhibits of products and services of former OFWs and Overseas Filipino Circles (OFCs) who have previously availed of the reintegration programs and financial and technical assistances offered by the OWWA.

The event will also feature the presentation of the OFW Manifesto which underscores the needs and concerns of the OFWs and their families. The Manifesto was drafted from the accumulated reports of the Regional Congress of the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices.

The attendees of the event are the OFWs, their families, the OFCs, the social partners, the media and some distinguished guests.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration organized this event in celebration of the national Migrant Workers Day.