TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) conducted the first ever Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Caravan in the province of Tarlac.
It introduced the different programs and services of the government for OFWs and their families across the regions, as well as overseas.
DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne Caunan stressed that the service caravan is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make government programs and services accessible to Filipinos in the country and around the world.
It aims to provide an avenue to meet and talk with OFWs and their families in the regions and abroad; to strengthen partnership with local government units (LGUs) in the fight against illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons; and to promote the common projects, collaborations and partnerships with LGUs.
“On top of the job opportunities, we also bring various services such as processing of Overseas Employment Certificate, e-registration, and legal assistance for our OFWs and their families,” she stated.
Tarlac is a natural choice for the caravan’s pilot area given the provincial government’s thrust to improve healthcare, provide job opportunities, and follow the framework.
Caunan noted that Tarlac concurs with the perspective of DMW to forge partnership with other countries by sending Filipino workers to improve their healthcare, and allowing them to help the Philippines in elevating its healthcare situation.
“Tarlac has a lot of OFWs and OFW families. What we are trying to do is support Tarlac in taking care of Tarlaqueños, and put it out there the right way of recruitment and proper way of going abroad,” she said.
Among the highlights of the service caravan was the signing of a sisterhood agreement between the provincial government of Tarlac and the Federal State of Upper Austria to jumpstart their cooperation on different fields.
Austrian Ambassador Johann Brieger welcomed the partnership and expressed his country’s clear statement to develop concrete ideas to future cooperation in sharing expertise and investing education programs in Tarlac.
“This is a win-win situation for Austria as we can fill vacancies in the areas where we are in need of skilled workers to cover our labor shortages. For the OFWs, [this means] they can earn well in a good working environment that caters to their needs,” he noted.
The envoy pressed that this will propel the Philippine economy forward, noting that based on President Marcos’ recent State of the Nation Address, OFWs contributed over US$37 billion last year.
Moreover, he emphasized that Austria prides itself with labor laws that protect foreign skilled workers in their country.
“According to our laws, OFWs must not be treated differently to Austrian employees for the same jobs just because they are not Austrians. Also, OFWs have the opportunity to bring their children and families to Austria,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Susan Yap underscored that the forged agreement was a celebration of the blossoming partnership between the provincial government and the Federal State of Upper Austria.
“This is a significant milestone paving the way for enhanced cooperation in education, arts, culture, health, economy, tourism, investments, and many others. This collaboration will undoubtedly bring forth mutual benefits, and strengthen the bonds between our two nations,” Yap said.
The two-day caravan offered services of other government agencies including the Department of Labor and Employment, OFW Hospital, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Pag-IBIG Fund, and Social Security System.
Also, the National Bureau of Investigation, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Tarlac Center for Learning and Skills Success, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, and the Philippine Statistics Authority. (CLJD/TJBM, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
