MANILA, 16 December 2005 — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) yesterday said vacationing overseas workers will once again be treated to an especially warm red carpet welcome focusing on family unity.
This year’s Pamaskong Handog sa OFWs will be launched simultaneously today at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport and in other 16 regions across the archipelago. It will be titled Pasko’y Maligaya, Pamilya’y Sama-Sama (A Happy Christmas with Families Together).”
As in the previous years, the welcome will primarily aim to provide hassle-free, prompt and convenient services together with the Bureau of Customs and others involved in ensuring efficient express lane services for OFWs during the entire holiday season.
Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas is to lead the launching ceremony. The personnel leading the welcome in Manila will be assisted by OWWA stations strategically set up at airports and other special booths in accessible areas, including malls, in which OFWs can avail themselves of essential services such as OWWA welfare enrollment, PhilHealth and Social Security System, among others.
Also, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said it will bring closer its Balik Manggagawa services to returning OFWs both as they arrive, and as they return to their overseas work destinations after their vacation.
The DOLE reported that almost 900,000 OFWs have been deployed globally in more than 180 destinations since Jan. 1, 2005.
The DOLE said that a total of 875,362 OFWs have been deployed worldwide as of Nov. 30, 2005, representing a growth of +8,237 compared to 867,125 in the same period in 2004.
