PRESS RELEASE
Department
of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas
Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines
*
Tel. No. 834-4000
* www.dfa.gov.ph
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No. 270; 2 June
2003
DFA CELEBRATES
8th MIGRANT WORKERS’ WEEK
The Department of Foreign Affairs today held simultaneous opening ceremonies
with other government agencies in celebration of the 8th Migrant Workers’
Week with the theme “Dakilang OFW: Dangal ng Pilipinas”. Acting Secretary
of Foreign Affairs Franklin M. Ebdalin, Ms. Petronila P. Garcia, Executive
Director of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs
(DFA-OUMWA) and Director Minda C. Valencia of the Commission on Filipinos
Overseas (CFO) inaugurated the affair.
The 8th Migrant Workers’ Week will be celebrated from June 1 to 7. The Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration
(OWWA) is spearheading and coordinating the activities with other agencies
for the week-long celebration.
In his keynote address, Acting Secretary Ebdalin paid tribute to the Overseas
Filipino Worker (OFW), acknowledging them as a source of national pride and
inspiration. He saluted the bravery of the Filipino truck drivers who transported
water to the coalition troops during the Iraq conflict and the healthcare
workers in Toronto and Singapore who risked their lives in caring for those
afflicted by SARS, some of whom suffered and died in the process.
In recognition rites for outstanding Foreign Service personnel in providing
timely assistance to Filipinos abroad, Acting Secretary Ebdalin noted this
as a positive step towards a world-class Foreign Service. “Let us continue
to be proud of them- for they too, are OFWs”, he said.
The Department will be holding Migrant Workers’ Week activities from June
2 to 6. An audio-visual and photo exhibit at the DFA Lobby will be held.
A one-day free Internet orientation seminar entitled “E-Serbisyo: Internet
Para sa OFWs”, will also be held at the Office of the Undersecretary for
Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) at the third floor of the DFA building.
The free seminar aims to develop Internet literacy among prospective OFWs
and their families.
Section 39 of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (Republic
Act No. 8042) mandates the celebration of Migrant Workers Day to commemorate
its signing into law by then President Fidel V. Ramos on June 7, 1995.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ople has lauded the Filipino overseas workers-
“our modern economic heroes”- for their patriotism and sacrifice. He has
called the Department and the Philippine Foreign Service to recommit its
“pledge of giving full support and assistance” to OFWs, “principally in the
areas of welfare and protection”.
There are around 7.41 million overseas Filipinos as of December 2001, as
based on an official inter-agency estimate. Of these, sixty-three per cent
(63%) make up the total OFW population. - END