PRESS RELEASE
WDC-28-2025
5 May 2025
Embassy Press and Information Section
The Migrant Workers Office of the (MWO-WDC) of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. celebrated the International Labor Day and the 43rd Anniversary of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) with overseas Filipino workers in Tobago on 1 May 2025. Tobago is the smaller of the two islands comprising the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the southern Caribbean.
Fifty-five (55) OFWs attended the celebration, which featured a presentation on programs and social benefits being provided by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA to Filipino migrant workers. Labor Attaché Saul De Vries and Welfare Office Mae Codilla gave the presentations and responded to various concerns of OFWs relating to direct-hiring, third-country recruitment, employer accreditation, work permits, and availment of social benefits. They were assisted by Mr. Jo Mari Rifareal and Ms. Freya Palad.
OWWA also handed gifts to OFWs as part of its anniversary celebration under the theme “Hinubog ng Panahon, Masayang Naglilingkod sa OFW at Pamilya”. They also processed OWWA membership enrollment and renewal during the event.
It was the first-ever visit of the MWO and OWWA in Tobago. “No one from the Philippine Embassy has visited and met with us here in Tobago. We are happy that representatives of the Philippine government have finally visited our worksite,” said Dr. Limay Tadio-an Ceballos, president of the Tobago Filipino community.
“Tobago hosts around 60 Filipinos who work in healthcare, hospitality, construction, retail trade and domestic service sectors. Most of them have been working in the island for more than a decade. We are also glad to be given the opportunity to meet with them and respond to their concerns,” noted De Vries.##
PHOTO RELEASE
WDC-107-2025
5 May 2025
