RIYADH, 19 August 2004 — Call it ambitious but the United OFW is ready to launch two big projects as it celebrates its first anniversary celebration and general assembly tomorrow at the Philippine Embassy.
With Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla as chief guest, the group led by its secretary-general, engineer Francisco “Boy” Naval, will launch the OFW Pension for its officials and members and United OFW Party-List, which would pave the way for the group’s participation in the Philippines’ party-list elections.
“The event will be a milestone in the young age of the United OFW considering that we’re only one year old as a group, but we’re planning to be involved in a big way as far as our officers and members are concerned,” said Marcial Nacion Jr., the group’s spokesman.
Nacion said the most-awaited coronation of Miss Bicol Federation Meet Rose Santos will also be held. Nacion is the secretary-general of the federation.
“I would like to thank a number of individuals, who are also officers of the United OFW, for having actively participated in all of our activities.
"Without them, all the projects we have undertaken would not have been realized. They also have actively participated in the preparations for the anniversary celebration,” he said.
The officers referred to include Mel A. Alcantara, vice chairman; Ding J. Manalo, finance officer; Dante C. Villaflores, information officer; Ping Gabriel, PRO; Dante M. Guina, auditor general; and Anthony Bismonte, editor of the group’s publications.
Founded on July 10, 2003., the United OFW is a worldwide organization of active and retired Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), said Nacion.
“It was established for the protection of the welfare and protection of OFWs and their dependents,” he said.
Philippine Embassy Sends Missions to Yemen, Alkhobar and Yanbu
Dinan Arana, Arab News
ALKHOBAR, 19 August 2004 — The Embassy on Wheels will hold office at the Al-Bustan Hotel in Alkhobar on Aug. 26 and 27 to render consular and passport services to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has said.
Vice Consul Germinia Aguilar-Usudan said the group will be transacting business from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 26 and from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Aug. 27.
The consular team is composed of attachés Acas Bayabao, Walter Villalobos, Saipoden Manalao, and Juliet Souribio.
Labor and welfare issues will be handled by the POLO-OWWA team headed by Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Assistant Labor Attaché Angel Borja, and Supervising Welfare Officer Sotero Tornea.
Usudan said a consular team from the embassy is currently in the Republic of Yemen to serve OFWs there.
The mission, led by Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla, began yesterday and ends on Saturday.
The Philippine ambassador to Riyadh heads the mission in Yemen in a concurrent capacity. There are an estimated 1,000 Filipinos in that country, of which 400 are in the capital, Sanaa.
In Jeddah, the Philippine Consulate notified Filipinos in Yanbu and nearby places who have business to transact to get ready.
On Sept. 3, a mobile assistance team from the consulate will be visiting the industrial city in Saudi Arabia’s Western Region also to render consular, labor, welfare and related services.
Consul General Pendosina “Dino” N. Lomondot had earlier said he was stepping up the consulate’s outreach projects to make life a little easier for OFWs in far-flung places.
For more information, interested parties may contact persons are Carol Tejero (consulate) at tel. nos. (02) 667-0925 or 660-0348 ext. 210, or Rafael “Ka Raffy” David (Yanbu coordinator) at (04) 396-6036 or 392-5341.