MWO-OWWA DC CELEBRATES MIGRANT WORKERS DAY IN CAYMAN ISLANDS

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-47-2024
19 June 2024
Embassy Press and Information Section
info@phembassy-us.org

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Migrant Workers Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO-OWWA) of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, celebrated the Filipino Migrant Workers Day on June 9, 2024 at the Lion’s Community Center in Grand Cayman, Islands. Organized by the Philippine Independence Day Committee (PIDC) in Cayman Islands, the annual celebration in honor of the Filipino Migrant Workers was the first ever to be undertaken in the Caribbean. 

The fun-filled event was marked by talent competition, raffle prizes and entertainment, which complemented the Philippine Independence Day celebration in the islands. Over 500 overseas Filipino workers attended the festivities. Six (6) OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) contestants competed in the “Talentadong Migranteng Pinoy,” a talent contest organized by MWO-OWWA which showcased the exceptional talents of the OFWs in the Cayman Islands. Each contestant impersonated an international or local artist of their choice. OFW Ernesto Ullamot Jr., who impersonated Engelbert Humperdinck, was declared champion, while OFW Jelly Dela Cruz (as Adele) and OFW Joey Alibangbang (as Rihanna) placed second and third, respectively. OFW Rachel Pagador (Julie Ann San Jose), Maphet Labarosa (Whitney Houston) and Raven Pimentel (Sam Smith) also competed and received consolation prizes.

“We thought of holding the event in the Cayman Islands to give the OFWs  in the Caribbean an opportunity to celebrate their day. We have been commemorating Migrant Workers Day all over the world since 1995 but never have we done it in the Caribbean until this event,” said Welfare Officer Mae Codilla.

Meanwhile, Labor Attaché Saul De Vries said that the MWO opted to hold the celebration in Cayman Islands because it has the largest concentration of Filipino migrant workers among the more than 30 countries and territories situated in the Caribbean, a sub-region of the Americas. The Cayman Islands host around 6,000 OFWs , which is the largest OFW population in the Caribbean region. 

The celebration was preceded by a two-day OFW Information and Service Caravan by MWO, OWWA and the Social Security System (SSS) benefitting around 400 OFWs who availed of such services as contract verification, OWWA membership renewal and SSS membership verification and claims processing. Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth and OF Bank also joined the caravan and extended their services virtually. The MWO reported that it has verified the employment contracts of 291 OFWs, processed the accreditation of 4 foreign employers, enrolled or renewed the membership of 334 OFWs in OWWA and assisted 112 OFWs with their SSS membership and claims. The OFWs were also provided financial literacy orientation. 

Labor Attaché De Vries, Welfare Office Codilla and SSS Representative Celenia Dimaano also gave presentations about DMW regulations, OWWA benefits and SSS programs, respectively.  Completing the caravan team were Assistant Labor Attaché Marie Josephine Borromeo, Mr. Jo Mari Rifareal and Ms. Freya Palad. ###