SFA-AGR-307-08

06 May 2008 – Philippine Ambassador to Israel Petronila P. Garcia reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Filipino Community celebrated the 106^th Labor Day with a simple ceremony held at the Embassy compound on 04 May highlighted by the reading of the Labor Day messages of Hon. Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Hon. Marianito Roque, Secretary of Labor and Employment.

In her remarks, Ambassador Garcia hailed the OFWs for their dedication  to  their  work as  caregivers  and their valuable support for  the Philippines and the Embassy in particular. She stressed that Filipino workers in Israel are fortunate as they enjoy good working conditions in the country and good working relations with their Israeli employers.  Ambassador Garcia also conveyed to the Filipino Community the greetings of H.E. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Vice Consul Bertrand Theodor Santos read the message of the Honorable Secretary Romulo, while Labor Attaché Merriam Cuasay delivered the message of the Honorable Secretary Roque.

During the ceremony, POLO and OWWA Tel Aviv turned over to the Filipino community through Dr. Isagani Leal, a Filipino doctor on training  in  Israel, their donation of four Blood Pressure Apparatus as hypertension is the most common health problem of OFWs in Israel.

Ambassador Garcia also swore into office the newly elected officers of the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel, Inc. (FFCI), the umbrella organization of all the Filipino organizations in Israel.

After the cerermony, the Filipino community joined the Embassy officers and staff in a simple Filipino breakfast prepared by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tel Aviv.  END

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