OWWA CHAIR CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING WITH THE OFW COMMUNITY IN THE DMV AREA

PRESS RELEASE

WDC-57-2023

13 December 2023

Embassy Press and Information Section

info@phembassy-us.org

Washington, DC – The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Washington, DC, through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), celebrated the Thanksgiving holidays with a community event dubbed the “Info Caravan for OFWs: Pasasalamat Para sa Migranteng Pilipino ng MWO at OWWA” at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex on 21 November 2023.

OWWA Chief Arnaldo Arevalo “Arnell” Ignacio was the guest speaker of the event travelling all the way from the Philippines to join the festivities and our Filipino community members for Thanksgiving.

“This celebration is conducted by the MWO-OWWA in Washington, DC to show our appreciation and gratitude to our dear OFWs for their valuable contribution and great sacrifices not only for their families, but also for the country,” Administrator Ignacio said. He presented OWWA’s programs and services for OFWs and updated the participants with recent developments at OWWA like the At Your Service (AYOS) truck, the formation of OFW Children Circles and the increase in the number of scholarship slots under OWWA’s two scholarship programs for OFW dependents, the EDSP and ODSP.

The Embassy’s Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas opened the event with a message about unity and gratitude, the main theme of the celebration. It was graced by no other than the OWWA Administrator, Arnaldo “Arnell” A. Ignacio, as part of his official visit to the USA. Likewise, Vice Consul Mary Fides Quintos and Ms. Celenia Dimaano briefed the participants on the consular programs of the Embassy and Social Security System (SSS), respectively.

Also present during the event were some of the officers and members of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET)-USA Inc. – North Atlantic Chapter and Association of International Dynamic Educators Inc.

Twenty five (25) lucky OFW-participants brought home prizes which they won during the trivia game. A Thanksgiving dinner was then shared by all participants after the event. ###