PRESS RELEASE
WDC-59-2023
12 December
Embassy Press and Information Section
The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC conducted an Information and Service Caravan for overseas Filipino workers on December 9 and 10, 2023 at the Xavier’s Lower School in Nassau, Bahamas.
Labor Attaché Saul De Vries reported that 253 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) availed of the services of MWO and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) during the two-day event. “We have verified and released 101 employment contracts and enrolled 125 OFWs in OWWA. A verified employment contract is required for the issuance of OFW Pass or exit clearance for vacationing OFWs in the Philippines who are returning to their job abroad. OWWA membership, on the other hand, entitles OFWs to various social benefits being provided by OWWA”, De Vries said.
The information drive, meanwhile, focused on orientation on the mandate, programs, and services of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), MWO and OWWA, as well as on financial literacy for OFWs. A total of 105 OFWs attended the program.
Labor Attaché De Vries and Welfare Officer Mae Codilla handled the orientation while Ms. Jihanne Hosmillo-Williams, the Chief Financial Officer of the Bank of the Bahamans Limited, facilitated the financial literacy sessions. “We thought of including financial literacy sessions in our program as our way of educating OFWs on wise management of their earnings through savings and investments. It is part of the Reintegration Program of the Philippine government”, said Codilla.
The 2-day caravan was undertaken in partnership with the Filipino Association of the Bahamas (FAB) and Overseas Filipino Workers International (OFWI), and in coordination with the Philippine Honorary Consul Dr. Leo Ignacio. ###
PHOTO RELEASE
WDC-204-2022
12 December 2023
PHOTO RELEASE
WDC-205-2023
12 December 2023
