Saturday, October 06, 2007 'He, too, is fresh from Kuwait' By Joy Romares-Sevilla
GIVEN the opportunity to serve people not only in the Philippines, but also abroad, this man has proven his commitment to his work and learned that public service is done anytime, anywhere.
Ron Lionel M. Bartolome, father of three, is the new director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) in Southern Mindanao. He was appointed to the post on June 20, 2007 -- his third assignment after Owwa Region 4, where he served for 11 years, and Owwa in Kuwait for two years.
"I am a person who has a commitment to work. Whatever assignment I have, I put passion in it," he said.
Bartolome, born and raised in Pampanga, wanted to be a priest, having been involved in church work when he was in high school.
He was also exposed to civic and community works when he was in college when he joined the Student Catholic Action of the University of the Philippines (UP-Manila).
He finished his AB Social Science degree in the same university in 1986 and his Masteral Study in Business Administration in the International Academy of Management and Economics in Makati City.
"I did not expect to work in the government, it was just accidental. My friend who worked in the Welfare Fund asked me to volunteer. Since then, I have been engaged in the work. I took a Civil Service exam later and I passed. In 1987, I became one of the youngest division chiefs of Owwa, I was assigned in Southern Tagalog Region," Bartolome said.
Bartolome believes that serving other people is one of the greatest works a person can do. He said the feeling of ultimate satisfaction every time you extend help to others is "immeasurable."
Bartolome considered his stay in Kuwait as his greatest achievement where he was able to resolve various cases between Filipino workers and foreign employers. He stood as a mediator in those cases and was even recognized as one of the best Owwa employees who have served OFWs in Kuwait.
"Andaming tumatakas na OFWs sa employers nila sa (there so many OFWs who escape from their employers in) Kuwait, maximum of 30 persons a day, sa Owwa lahat ang takbo (they run to Owwa for help). Pinupuntahan sila ng amo nila sa Owwa (their employers go to Owwa to look for them), dun na nangyayari ang negotiation (and the negotiation happens there). Kung ayaw na ng employee na bumalik sa amo (if the employee refuses to go back to his or her employer), we cannot force him, we instead refer him to other employer or pinapauwi na lang namin ng Pilipinas kung yun ang gusto niya (we send the worker home to the Philippines)," he said.
He added that he was somehow proud of himself because he survived his stint in Kuwait where he used to work even on weekends.
"Kahit na madaling araw habang natutulog ka, may tatawag sa iyo, 'Sir, tatakas kami', pati yun naranasan ko (Even at dawn while you are sleeping, somebody will just call you up and tell you, 'Sir, we will escape,' even that I experienced there)" he said, adding that maltreatment is one of the main reasons why OFWs in Kuwait escaped from their employers.
Being the regional director of the agency for several years, Bartolome said it is a privilege to lead a staff and it is also a challenge to work hard and ensure the development of the agency he handles.
"Mahirap din ang maging (its also hard to be the) director, you can be fired on the spot kung pinalpak mo ang trabaho (if you fail in your task)," he said.
"I also want to develop my staff. I want them to be familiarized hindi lang sa trabaho nila, kundi sa lahat ng konsepto dito sa (not only with their work, but also in the concept here in) office. Katulad halimbawa (just like for example), kung absent ang isa, alam nila ang gagawin; gusto ko anytime may haharap sa mga tao, kaya (if one is absent, they know what to do and cope with the work; I want them to be ready to attend to people anytime, so) I encourage my staff to attend trainings and seminars," Bartolome added.
While Owwa's main task is to take care not only of the welfare of the OFWs abroad, but also their family who are left behind in the Philippines.
Bartolome said Owwa 11 is currently implementing a program where OFW families can augment their income.
Owwa 11 organized a livelihood program/training program for the OFW families including fishball production, fruit processing and even soap making in different municipalities and barangays regionwide.
"I want to start with the basic, later we will train them how to label and brand their products," he said, adding that Owwa conducts the trainings for free.
Owwa provides the food, trainor, and even the ingredients of the products to be produced.
Bartolome advises the OFWs and other people who have plans to work abroad to set their specific, measurable, attainable, and realistic plans and priorities so that they can get back home successful and with enough savings.
