MANILA, 3 June — A number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been named as recipients of this year’s Bagong Bayani Awards as part of the celebration of Migrant Worker’s Day next week.
President Gloria Arroyo will present the awards which are sponsored by the Bagong Bayani Foundation Inc. (BBFI).
The OFWs to be honored are Saturnino L. Banting, Myrna Barredo, Petronilo N. Bergantino, Arsenia Cabading, Dr. Antonio Romualdo De Guzman Fabian, Edmundo L. Ferrer, Christopher Parada Manalo, Elpidio R. Quitevis, Dr. Edgar Quitiquit, Rashid Cesar Saavedra, Perla S. Vega and the 24 Filipino officers and crew members of a Norwegian tanker: Captain Rommel Alcantara, Joselito Magno, Rene Palacio, Roberto Cabahug, Tito Mejarito, Armando Samia, Restituto De Guzman, Zandro Vacal, Eduardo Sanchez, Noel Miembro, Ronnel Hernandez, Felipe Ujano, Pretextato Palmeras, Edgar Cabunilas, Melchor Galang, Roger Baliad, Emiliano Santos, Nonito Tunguia, Giardino Lintag, Michael Tancinco, Roman Ramos, Agustin Solmeo, Rori Zolayfar and Randolf Georsua.
The awardees were selected from nominations solicited from co-workers, OFW organizations, foreign employers and non-government organizations (NGOs) from worksites in Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and Europe. Philippine embassies and consulates conducted the initial screening of the nominees.
The BBFI is a non-stock, non-profit organization conceived to uphold the welfare and interests of OFWs, considered by many as the new heroes of our time. (PD)
It works in tandem with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in paying tribute to the OFWs through the Bagong Bayani Awards.
The Bagong Bayani Awards were initially conducted by the POEA in 1984 and is an annual search for outstanding OFWs.
The award gives due recognition to the Filipino worker for his outstanding contribution both as a paradigm of national skills and talents and as ambassador of goodwill.
