Sunday, October 14, 2007 City, Owwa partnership on
THE City Government and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) teamed up anew for new programs intended to enhance the delivery of services to migrant workers and their families.
The two new projects are the setting up of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) migrant desk at City Hall and the active involvement of the OFW families in disaster management efforts of the City Disaster Coordinating Council.
The two programs are part of Owwa’s efforts to implement responsive projects for the protection of the interest and promotion of the welfare of member OFWs.
The city, through Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr., and Owwa, through Administrator Marianito Roque, represented by Director Carmelina Velasquez and Owwa Regional Director Manuela Peña entered into two memoranda of agreement to set up these projects.
Both the mayor and Velasquez, in their respective talks during the MOA signing ceremonies last Tuesday, lauded the projects as meaningful efforts towards addressing the needs of the migrant workers.
The migrant desk would be set up at the Public Employment Services Office to respond to OFW concerns.
Under the agreement, the City Government will assign personnel to man the desk where OFWs and their families may inquire on the programs and services related to their concerns. They may also air their call for assistance and other concerns.
Owwa, for its part, will provide orientation on the programs and services of the agency along with the procedures and processes in availing of the programs that may be deemed necessary for the fast delivery of its programs and services. It will also conduct regular consultation and monitoring for immediate clarification and resolution of issues and concerns raised by the clients.
As to disaster response involvement, the project is in recognition of the need for multi-sectoral participation in ensuring safety of the community and in developing community volunteerism among OFW families and communities.
As per the agreement, the Owwa commits to promote safety within the homes, places of work and communities of OFW families and to support trainings and education of OFW families on disaster preparedness and management. The Owwa will also organize a OFW rescue team from the pool of volunteer OFW and their families whose members can be mobilized by the CDCC during disasters and other emergencies and will assist in referring OFW families who are affected by disasters.
The CDCC, on the other hand, will provide the necessary trainings and education for the OFWs and their families; assist in organizing the OFW rescue team and integrate it as a bonafide team of the disaster brigade; and will mobilize the team during times of disasters.(Aileen Refuerzo)
