Kabataan "Bagong Pag-asa"

Arroyo to discuss investment
M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan I
Arab News 3 Feb. 2009

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with guests and diplomats at a meeting of Filipino community members in Riyadh on Monday night. (AN photo by Saad Al-Enezi)

RIYADH: In a move to boost links between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrived here last night for a short visit.

“Arroyo’s talks with high-ranking Saudi officials will mainly focus on bilateral issues, global economic crisis and on oil and other matters of mutual concern,” said a senior Philippine official.

Arroyo went to the Philippine Embassy after several Saudi officials, including Minister of Agriculture Fahd Balghunaim, received her at the airport. At the embassy, the president addressed a meeting attended by more than 700 Filipino executives and workers.

Asked about official-level bilateral talks, an embassy official said he was not aware of the specifics of the talks with Saudi officials because this visit was planned on short notice by the president.

“She is on way to Manila via Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland),” he said.

The Philippines is seeking to encourage Saudi investment in food production in the predominantly Muslim southern Philippines. “Saudi Arabia has oil but it lacks food, so we’re exploring the possibility of convincing the authorities to invest in food production in southern Philippines,” said Speaker Prospero Nograles of the House of Representatives of the Philippines during a recent visit to the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is a major supplier of oil to the Philippines while the Kingdom is a major employer of Filipino labor. Philippine officials said talks would likely revolve around oil, investment opportunities and issues important to the Filipino expatriate community.
















Alex Veloso Bello, president of the Riyadh-based Overseas Filipino Workers Congress (OFWC), said that the OFWC would follow up on the recommendations submitted to Arroyo two years ago.

Among the demands is the formation of a political party for overseas workers, called the Partidong Pandaigang Pilipino (PPP), which seeks representation of overseas Filipino workers in the Philippine government. Remittances by OFWs represent about 10percent of the country’s GDP (before adjustment for inflation). In 2007, remittances from workers abroad exceeded $14 billion.

It is unclear yet the effect of the global economic crisis on remittances. In Davos, Arroyo pointed out in a plenary speech at the World Economic Forum that remittances from the US have clearly been adversely affected.

“It was all fine, and then the bubble burst,” she said. “But did we all know that the bubble was getting to be so big?”

As Arab News went to press, several community leaders, who assembled at the embassy to hear the speech of Arroyo, said that they would ask the president to appeal for clemency for a few Filipinos facing the death penalty in the Kingdom.

Some 900,000 Filipinos work in the Kingdom. Other countries in the Middle East that are prime OFW destinations are Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Bahrain, the UAE and Israel.

Saudi Arabia ranks first among the Middle East countries hiring Filipino workers.

CarCanMadCarLan new OFWC participating member

10 October 2008, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- CCMCL known as CarCanMadCarLan Association, Riyadh Chapter inducted their new set of Officers for the Year 2008-2009.



CarCanMadCarLan are towns located in Surigao Del Sur in which their acronym derived from the first syllables of the towns comprised of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza .

OFW Congress-Riyadh President Mr. Alex Veloso Bello inducted the new set of officers namely:





Chairman of the Board: Mr. Danilo Bendoy
President : Rex Alaric Eleazar
Vice President : Ryan A. Comandante
Secretary : Rodney C. Ortuyo
Treasurer : Florence Gale A. Ypparraguirre
Auditor : Prescillano Oser
Business Manager: Patricio R. Ypparraguirre
Rey Joseph Estal

Mr. Alex Veloso Bello, the Guest of Honor commended the outgoing officers for a great success of CCMCL and wished the incoming officers for a challenging responsibility.

Outgoing President Manuel Ypparraguirre during the turn over and acceptance remarks emphasizing some of the important objectives of CCMCL as it has always been implemented and expected from the past.

Incoming President Rex Alaric Eleazar expressed his gratitude to the dedicated members and their support to the newly elected officers of the association.

CCMCL is currently among new participating member organization of OFW Congress Riyadh, an advocacy group composed of various Filipino organizations belong to Sports, Regional, Cooperatives, Talent, Professionals, Hometown Associations, etc., in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OFW Empowerment

OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS CONGRESS
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia



OFW CONGRESS was established and promulgated its Constitution and By-Laws on March 15,1999.

The Executive Council known as the EXECON convened a CONCOM (Constitutional Commission) who adopted and promulgated its Constitution and By-Laws.

In Article II, Section 1 of its Constitution and By-Laws states the following:

The OFW Congress recognizes the enactment of Republic Act No. 8042 known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Act of 1995. It shall therefore, act as partners of the State in the protection of Filipino migrant workers and in the promotion of their welfare. Towards this end, the organization shall plan, initiate, advocate, and spearhead the drafting, lobbying, passage of motions, measures, resolutions and position papers on vital issues affecting the rights, welfare and economic well being of the OFW’s.

Genuine unification of OFWs in Riyadh had always been elusive, despite efforts for unification of community leaders and the Philippine embassy officials for years. It was only in 1998, aptly perhaps as it was also the Centennial Year of Philippine Independence, when unification became an apparent reality through a plan to create the OFW Congress. The OFW Congress would be "a gathering of, and forum for, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Riyadh to discuss key issues, concerns and problems affecting them and their families back home in the Philippines. Its process shall be democratic, through open and honest election of the Congress leadership with grassroots mandate; and among its specific objectives are (a) to serve as the unifying entity, and (b) to develop the social, economic and political conditions of OFWs through opportunities to be provided by the Congress.

On November 27 and December 4, 1998, elections were held 1998 at the OWWA Center to select the 21 Executive Council members from among 78 duly-registered candidates. The Committee on Elections, consisting of the Philippine Embassy staff, supervised the election that was perceived by the community to have been free and honest. On December 11, 1998, the inaugural session of the Congress was then held at the Philippine embassy grounds in Riyadh. As the first-ever deliberative assembly of OFWs in Saudi Arabia, and possibly elsewhere, the Congress served as the highlighting event of the Filipino community's celebration of December as the OFW Month. On January 14, 1999, at the Philippine Embassy, the Executive Council selected its officers and assigned portfolios to the Council members.

It was a defining community experience when some 8,000 OFWs gathered to express their right of suffrage. (Many other compatriots were unable to vote because the OWWA Center could not accommodate the great number of people who gathered then.) Who would have imagined that we could hold such an exercise free of the goons, gold and guns so pervasive at home? Former Consul Jesus S. Domingo, who was chairman of the COMELEC, likened it to a blooming in full of a flower in the middle of the desert, born under the most trying of conditions. It was unprecedented, an achievement that prides us all to say that we can hold such clean, free and honest election. It yielded us a rich harvest of goodwill and allowed us to look forward as a community united in our efforts to promote our common good.

The structure of the OFW Congress definitely allows participation of organizations and individuals community-wide. In fact, the OFW Congress, through its General Assembly, is the forum for which organizations can discuss and resolve issues of common concern. So far, the General Assembly has convened twice through its Central Committee, and passed a number of resolutions. Organizations, leaders and members alike, are welcome to participate in both the Central Committee and the General Assembly, for the common good, the rights and welfare of fellow OFWs. No matter if we are all volunteers to the tasks, our greater vision is to seek a better place under the sun for OFWs and their families in a progressive Philippines.

The Riyadh OFW Congress
By Manuel A. Lector, Secretary-General, Riyadh

(Background Information)

In late 1998, the Filipino community in Riyadh participated in the election of 21 representatives to an OFW Congress’ Executive Council. The election and the efforts to make it a reality were unmistakably a show of unity among community organizations. There were “major” parties formed by leading organizations in the community. For four election days spread over two weeks, thousands lined up to exercise their right of suffrage, whose votes it took volunteers many nights, in fact, weeks to tabulate. Looking back, it now has taken historic meaning in light of efforts of OFWs all over the world to exercise their right to vote. Consul Jesus S. Domingo cited then the parallelism between the OFW Congress and the Malolos Congress at the turn of this century. He stated that the Malolos Congress established a government to unify the many islands of the country. The OFW Congress a hundred years later was born as a step in the struggle of overseas Filipinos to become part of the bigger Philippine society, to become a true and active partner in nation building, even while in the state of diaspora. Then Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Domingo Siazon, spoke of the OFW Congress as the main vehicle of community unity, and awaited the formation of other Congresses in the Middle East and possibly the whole world.

One significant achievement of the OFW Congress, with the help of the Philippine Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh, was its holding of the OFW Summit 2000. On October 6, 2000, government officials from Manila led by Senator Rauld Roco came to speak before the Filipino community in Riyadh in the summit.

The summit’s theme was “Filipino Migration: Issues and Concerns”, held in the Intercontinental Hotel. Leaders of numerous civic organizations served as counterpart to the Manila delegation during the forum. The one-day summit, organized by OFWs themselves through the leadership of the Riyadh OFW Congress (OFWC), was the first-ever of such kind to be held in the Middle East. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office or POLO in the Philippine Embassy assisted the OFWC in making the Summit a reality. Overall summit chairman was Isagani Manalo, now the President of the Executive Council, and Jose Badong, the Council’s Executive Vice-President, served as the summit’s coordinator. The OWFC’s Executive Council at the time was presided by Alexander Sanchez.

The Filipinos in Riyadh as well as those from the Eastern province presented to Manila officials various overseas employment issues such as the pre-daparture orientation seminar, issues affecting OFWs at worksites, post-employment or re-integration issues, proposed amendments to the Migrant Workers Act, Absentee Voting, the OFW Bank, and a Workers’ database.

These issues were identified weeks before the summit through a series of dialogues among Filipinos in Riyadh. Prior and also during dialogue proper, data -gathering was facilitated through the use of questionnaire developed to obtain OFW concerns regarding overseas employment. In most of the issues brought forward during the dialogues and workshop, participants time and again sought a more active role by the government and its agencies in protecting the rights of OFWs. To revisit these: POEA must conduct a more effective pre-deployment orientation seminar (PDOS), POEA must rein in illegal recruitment, and abusive practices of licensed recruiters, and medical retainers; OWWA must provide more effective on-site assistance to OFWs; and many more.

The long list of recommendations to issues and concerns raised in the OFW Summit 2000 has remained a wish list. Since then, things seem to have gotten worse. We get to learn about the misuse of OWWA funds; government had signed less minimum pay for OFWs in Saudi Arabia, and lawmakers display indifferent attitude to our desire to exercise our right of suffrage. Too disappointing considering that we have often been referred to as the modern heroes of our time, who many believe are the singular force that keeps the nation's economy afloat.

The Significance of the Riyadh OFW Congress

Information Background:

It is unfortunate that some members of the Filipino community among certain sectors tend to belittle the OFW Congress and the election in 1998 which determined the representatives to the body. Almost a year after, it is time to recall somehow what happened then.

The election and the efforts to make it a reality were unmistakably a show of unity among community organizations. Participation in the selection for the 21 representatives to the Executive Council of the OFW Congress was extensive. The major parties of Kampi, Gabay, Unity, and PUNO consisted of the many leading organizations in the community. At that time the community had acted as one to make its voice heard. Inspite of the circumstances we were and still are in, there were thousands who lined up to exercise their right of suffrage, and whose votes it took volunteers many nights, in fact, weeks to tabulate. Was it only a show? No, it was a historic act. It was meant to be the beginning of our unified effort to chart the course of our destiny as OFWs, as a people dispersed into other countries.

Consul Jesus S. Domingo's parallelism between the OFW Congress and the Malolos Congress at the turn of the last century states it all. The Malolos Congress established a government to unify the many islands of the country. A hundred years later, the OFW Congress is born as a step in the struggle of overseas Filipinos to become part of the bigger Philippine society and to become a true and active partner in nation building. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Domingo Siazon, spoke of the OFW Congress as the main vehicle of community unity, and said he awaited the formation of other Congresses in the Middle East and possibly, the whole world.


The structure of the OFW Congress definitely allows participation of organizations and individuals community-wide. In fact, the OFW Congress, through its General Assembly, is the forum for which organizations can discuss and resolve issues of common concern. So far, the General Assembly has convened twice through its Central Committee, and passed a number of resolutions. Organizations, leaders and members alike, are welcome to participate in both the Central Committee and the General Assembly, for the common good, the rights and welfare of fellow OFWs. No matter if we are all volunteers to the tasks, our greater vision is to seek a better place under the sun for OFWs and their families in a progressive Philippines.

A major hindrance is lack of resources. The OFW Congress does not even have a place to hold office and relies on the Philippine embassy to continue allowing it to hold its regular meetings in the chancery. But it needs much more than just a meeting place. The OFW Congress needs the Filipino community's support to survive and grow, like an infant who depends on its mother to sustain it.

The First Elected Members of the
OFWC Executive Council

Alexander Sanchez, President
Sponsor: Al Wafa Aluminum Co.; Job: Production Manager
Years in KSA: 14; Hometown: Tumauini, Isabela
Spouse: Evelyn A. Atanacio; Children: 3
Affiliations: 1.FCBR, President; 2. Calabarzon,
Ways & Means Chairman

Eufemio Bantugan, Jr., Executive Vice-President
Sponsor: Aggad Investment Company
Job: System Accountant & Financial Analyst
Years in KSA: 10; Hometown: Southern Leyte
Spouse: Yolanda Bantugan; Children: 2;
Affiliations: 1.PICPA, Past President;
2. OFWCCI, Director for Training
3. Leybisa, Past President

Alina Articulo, Vice-President for Welfare
Sponsor: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Job: Head Nurse; Years in KSA: 12; Hometown: Iloilo & Manila
Spouse: Robinson A. Articulo; Children: 2;
Affiliations: 1.HEALTH, President; 2. MOTHER, Adviser
3. Int'l. PROCARE Org'n., President

Nawawi Mabaning, Vice-President for Political Affairs
Sponsor: Saudi French Bank;
Job: Credit Staff; Years in KSA: 17; Hometown: Marawi
Spouse: Sinab M. Mabaning; Children: 2;
Affiliations: 1.Asst. Area Governor, Riyadh Area Council of Toastmasters; President, AMSUDA Intl.; Past President, Ranao Toastmasters

Alex V. Bello, Vice-President for Planning and Effective Governance
Sponsor: ABB Temeco; Job: Purchasing Officer/Accountant
Years in KSA: 15; Hometown: Tacloban City
Spouse: Evangeline Morden; Children: 4;
Affiliations: 1.GABAY, EVP; 2. Palarong Pilipino Sports
Commission, Past Chairman; 3. PUNO, Past Chairman;
4. Leybisa, Past President

Danilo Encinas, Comptroller General
Sponsor: Saudi French Bank; Job: Sr. Admin.
Years in KSA: 15; Hometown: Bicol
Children: 2;
Affiliations: 1.PICO, Past Chairman; 2. OFWCCI Board of Trustee;
3. UNCLE, Information Officer

Isagani Manalo, Director-General for Legal Affairs, and
CCGA Overall Chairman
Sponsor: Lucent Technologies Int'l.
Job: Switching Engineering Manager
Years in KSA: 11; Hometown: La Paz, Tarlac
Spouse: Rosario Manalo; Children: 6;
Affiliations: 1.BAR, Board Chairman;
2. Knights of Rizal, Chairman. Prefectural Tribunal;
3. BAR Int'l. Multi-purpose Cooperative, Founding Member

Marilyn Molina
Sponsor: King Fahd National Guard Hospital
Job: Admin. Asst III; Years in KSA: 12;
Hometown: Bagamanoc, Catanduanes; Spouse: Christopher Lavina;
Affiliations: 1.Filipino Expatriates Society

Noel Santos, Director-General for Sports
Sponsor: Ministry of Health
Job: Staff Nurse; Years in KSA: 15; Hometown: Laguna & Bicol

Spouse: Noemi Santos; Children: 6;
Affiliations: 1.Secretary General, BAR, ; 2. Trustee, Knights of Rizal
3. Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity

Reynaldo Bautista, Director-General for Membership and
CCGA Secretary General
Sponsor: ABV Rock Group KB; Job: Data Administrator
Years in KSA: 18; Hometown: Apalit, Pampanga
Spouse: Jaynie May R. Fabie;
Affiliations: 1.BAR, Pres. Adviser for Mgt. Affairs
2. Salicap, Founder; 3. Apalitenos, Founder; 4. Gabay, Founding Member.

Ed Milanes, Director-General for Education

Macario Escober, Director-General for Government Relations
Sponsor: Ministry of Defense & Aviation
Job: Sr. Civil Engineer/Consultant; Years in KSA: 12
Hometown: Barugo, Leyte del Norte
Spouse: Evelyn GS. Escober; Children: 5;
Affiliations: 1.PICO, Chairman; 2. Leybisa, Adviser

Magdalena Perez, Director-General for Culture and Entertainment
Sponsor: Dorah's Dress Shop; Job: Master Cutter
Years in KSA: 19; Hometown: Pampanga
Spouse: Romeo Z. Perez; Children: 7;
Affiliations: 1.Pinoy Friendly Group, President;
2. UNCLE, Finance Minister; 3. CAPWA

Renato Layug, Director-General for External Affairs
Sponsor: Al Sulaimani Company
Job: Marketing Manager

Robert Ramos, Director-General for Social Welfare and Community Relations
Sponsor: Al Babtain Contracting Company
Job: Project Manager;
Hometown: San Juan, Batangas

Roland Flora, Director-General for Security, Peace and Order
Sponsor: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Job: Supervisor, Electrical Maintenance; Years in KSA: 15
Hometown: Bacolod City
Spouse: Regina A. Flora; Children: 2;
Affiliations: 1.Kasimanwa Group, President;
2. MOTHER, Committee Chairman; 3. HEALTH

Danilo de Jesus, Director-General for Youth
Sponsor: Saudi Oger Ltd.; Job: Aviation Dept Staff
Years in KSA: 19; Hometown: Guagua, Pampanga
Spouse: Romana F. de Jesus; Children: 6;
Affiliations: 1.V-P Internal, BAR;
2. Basketball Ass'n. of Saudi Oger

Clemencia Montecillo, Director-General for Women
Sponsor: Al Hammadi Hospital; Job: OB/Gyne Physician
Years in KSA: 15; Hometown: Southern Leyte
Children: 3

Manuel A. Lector, Secretary General and
Director-General for Information
Sponsor: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Job: Industrial Engineer; Years in KSA: 13; Hometown: Tiaong, Quezon
Spouse: Villa S. Granada; Children: 1;
Affiliations: 1.HITTT, Executive Committee Chairman;
2. KFSHTA, President; 3. OPRASA, Adviser

Renato Viray
Sponsor: King Fahad National Guard Hospital
Job: Veterinarian

Gina Gurne-Abitona, Information Officer
Years in KSA:8; Hometown: Manila
Spouse: Edgardo F. Abitona; Children: 3.


2002: THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of the OFW CONGRESS

President: Isagani B. Manalo
Director-General,
and CCGA Overall Chairman
Sponsor: Lucent Technologies Int’l.
Job: Switching Engineering Manager
Years in KSA: 15; Hometown: La Paz, Tarlac
Org'ns. & Position:
BAR, Board Chairman;
Knights of Rizal- Chairman, Profectural Tribunal
BAR Multi-purpose Cooperative

Executive Vice-President :Jose B. Badong
Sponsor: Pannesma Co., Ltd.;
Job: PSS Coordinator
Years in KSA: 18;
Hometown: Palangui, Albay
Org'n. & Position:
EVP of GABAY;
Past President of Bicol Saro nin Riyadh;
Member of the OKOR;

Vice-President, Economic Affairs: Alex V. Bello
Sponsor: ABB Temeco;
Job: Purchasing Officer/Accountant
Years in KSA: 15;
Hometown: Tacloban City
Org'ns. & Position:
Member of the ICOFVR
GABAY, EVP
Palarong Pilipino Sports Commission, Past Chairman
PUNO, Past Chairman
Leybisa, Past President

Vice-President, Welfare: Robert C. Ramos
Project Manager of Al Babtain Group of Companies

Vice-President, Political Affairs: Matt Bubong
President of UMA

Vice-President, Strategic Planning & Good Governance: Mohd. Ali L. Astillero
Medical Director of the Dept of Pathology
Laboratory Medicine of Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mishari General Hospital
Recipients of many prestigious awards including the Bagong Bayani Awards in 1992. Among the honored members of the Int’l who’s Who of Professionals
Founding Chapter Commander of OKOR
A community leader in every sense of the word: Chairman of the GABAY (Gabay ng Manggagawang Pilipino Party)

Secretary-General:Manuel A. Lector
IE King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Years in KSA: 13
HITTT, Chairman
Charter Founder of the OFWnet Foundation
and an Area Lead Promoter in Saudi Arabia

Comptroller General:Flavio Biox Q. Manilum
Sponsor: Mechanical Engineer,
and General-Supervisor in KKIA
President of the BISAYA Orgn.

Director-Generals:

Alexander Sanchez, D-G for Sports
Sponsor: Al Wafa Aluminum Co.; Job: Production Manager
Years in KSA: 14; Hometown: Tumauini, Isabela
Org'ns. & Position: OFWC Exec Council, Past President. FCBR, President; Calabarzon, Ways & Means Chairman

Magdalena Perez, Director-General for Culture & Entertainment
Sponsor: Dorah’s Dress Shop; Job: Master Cutter
Years in KSA: 19; Hometown: Pampanga
Spouse: Romeo Z. Perez; Children: 7;
Org'ns. & Position: 1.Pinoy Friendly Group, President;
2. UNCLE, Finance Minister; 3. CAPWA

Clemencia Montecillo, Director-General for Women
Sponsor: Al Hammadi Hospital; Job: OB/Gyne Physician
Years in KSA: 15; Hometown: Southern Leyte
Children: 3

Renato Layug, Director-General for Social Affairs & Emergency Asst

Noel Santos, Director-General for Health
A Nurse; Commissioner of the Fil Sports Commission
VP of NARs

Macario Escober, Director-General for Government Relations
Sponsor: Ministry of Defense & Aviation
Job: Sr. Civil Engineer/Consultant; Years in KSA: 12
Hometown: Barugo, Leyte del Norte; Org'ns. & Position: 1.Phil Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Chairman; 2. Leybisa, Adviser

Cenon Sagadal, Jr, Director-General for Youth

Allan Macabangkit, Jr, Director-General for Ismalic Affairs
19 years in KSA; Site Engineer with Al-Bawardy Consulting Engineers. Orgns: President, Shakba Int’l.; Past president of the IPSR PTA. Ranao Toastmasters & Former Sec Gen of the FEMAS

Jaafar Angkaya, Director-General for Education
30 years in KSA; Materials Engineer in the Saudi Engineer Consulting Co.; Acting President of the HAJMEN Dev. Corp.

Nasser Lito Paras, , Director-General for Legal Affairs
12 years in the Kingdom. Architect/Civil Engineer. Deputy Project Director at O&M Squadron of Prince Sultan Airbase
Former president of the Knights Toastmasters Club; Former Commander of the OKOR

Antonio Apolto, Director-General for Comm Relations & Membership
22 years in Kingdom; Cargo Sales Officer of PAL until 1991; now a Cargo Sales Executive of Al Muayed Cargo. President of the Manggagawang Kapit Bisig (MKB)

Danilo Morales, Director-General for Media & Information
17 years in the Kingdom; a CPA; is the Country Manager for Software at the Juffali group of Companies. He is the head of the San Miguel de Mayumo Orgn.

Mona B. Pangcoga, Director-General for External Relations
Mechanical Engineer 23 years in KSA; with Saud Consulting Engineers. Member of the Board of SHAKBA Int’l., Member of FEMAS

JOINT RESOLUTION # OFWC06-002
SERIES OF 2006
DATED. 8/05/06

OFW CONGRESS-RIYADH

OFW CONGRESS was established and promulgated its Constitution and By-Laws on March 15, 1999.

The Executive Council known as the EXECON convened a CONCOM (Constitutional Commission) who adopted and promulgated its Constitution and By-Laws.
In Article II, Section 1 of its Constitution and By-Laws states the following:

The OFW Congress recognizes the enactment of Republic Act No. 8042 known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Act of 1995. It shall therefore, act as partners of the State in the protection of Filipino migrant workers and in the promotion of their welfare. Towards this end, the organization shall plan, initiate, advocate, and spearhead the drafting, lobbying, passage of motions, measures, resolutions and position papers on vital issues affecting the rights, welfare and economic well being of the OFW’s.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines clearly affirms labor as a primary social economic force and mandates the State to protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare (Sec. 18, Art II). It is further provided that “The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all”.

Dubbed as modern day heroes by the Philippine Government, Filipino overseas workers deserves utmost protection and assistance in their place of work in a foreign land with its own set of laws and policies.

Filipino Migrant workers which is estimated at close to 8.5 million have greatly influenced government policies geared towards promoting and protecting our interests in the area of investments for our eventual return to our homeland.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N

THEREFORE, this 8TH day of May 2006, the 21 member organization of the Overseas Filipino Workers Congress-Riyadh and its Participating Members hereby respectfully submit below to HER EXCELLENCY GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, the following joint recommendations for her consideration:

WHEREAS, in the past Congressional election the OFW party list groups continue to fail to have a seat in the House of Representative, in view thereof, WE urge Her Excellency, the President to facilitate the creation of an OFW Consultative Council composed of deserving OFW leaders worldwide and OFW advocates at home. The OFW Consultative Council shall be given an authority to determine the criteria for the possible creation of an OFW National Leadership that will represents OFW community in any legislative forum.

WHEREAS, for the interest of those OFW’s who work for many years abroad and in preparation for their eventual return to our homeland, WE urge the President to create a Pension Scheme or institutionalize Pension Program Scheme for OFW’s that would benefit returning OFW’s. A possible funding should be taken from our OWWA membership contribution.

WHEREAS, the growing numbers of Filipino run-away and labor cases handled by the Philippine Labor Office, WE urge the President to add more translators and Shariah lawyers for immediate and early resolution of cases and to increase funds thereof the Philippine Overseas Labor Office for the hiring of additional case officers, translators and lawyers. Likewise the creation of an independent OFW Monitoring Office for the disbursement of the said funds.

WHEREAS, the increasing number of unfortunate distressed Female OFWs or Filipina Domestic Workers in Bahay Kalinga, WE urge the President to increase the funds of the Filipino Workers Resource Center for the expenses of their early repatriation and so with other needs at the said facility.

WHEREAS, the continuing flow of a number of Filipino Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, the Christian Community support the initiative of our Muslim brothers and hereby endorsed to the President the creation of a “Hajj Attache Office” in the Kingdom to be created under the Office of the President.

WHEREAS, the number of Filipino children/students in the Kingdom is growing and the expensive tuition fees of the private schools, WE urge the President to subsidize the operation of an “OFW Community Schools” by funding the salaries of teachers and/or its facilities.

WHEREAS, the frequent issue regarding the plight of our run away Filipina Domestic helpers, Contract substitution and non-honoring of contract, WE urge the President to remove the private employment agencies and have Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) the sole agency that will handle the deployment of Filipino workers overseas.

WHEREAS, other nationalities or expatriate community in the Kingdom avails the free government TV channel for their nationals, WE therefore urge the President to provide a free satellite viewing of Government owned TV Channel 4 for the benefit and enjoyment of the Filipino Community in the Kingdom.

WHEREAS, regarding the transfer of 1 Billion Pesos OWWA Fund to Philippine Postal Savings Bank, in view thereof, WE humbly urge the President to reconsider her order and instead facilitate in behalf of the OFW’s to expedite the immediate deliberations of pending Senate and House bills for the creation of an OFW Bank that we can call our own; and the urgent discussion of its implementing mechanisms that would be in the best interest of the Migrant Filipinos.


WHEREAS, in addition to the above and in line with the Government Reintegration Program, WE urge our Government to:

1) Recognize OFWs as a "Special Sector" and strengthen OFW representation in policy –formulating boards; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA) governing board should be well represented by an OFW who comes from the OFW rank himself/herself and not just a mere political appointees whose credentials are not well define as representative to OFW’s.

2)Make economic and social reintegration a centerpiece of the country's overseas employment program sustained by legislative and executive initiatives;

3)Ensure the involvement of the different departments and bureaus of the national and local government in the Comprehensihive OFW Reintegration Plan (CORP);

4)Commit human, financial and other requisite resources for the comprehensive approach to OFW reintegration;

5)Provide empowering mechanisms to migrants, their families and communities, and advocates to enhance their involvement in the affairs of governance locally and overseas.

6)Participation of NGOs, LGUs and OFW Organization in the formulation of a CORP (Comprehensive OFW Reintegration Program).

7)Formalize formation of PhilCore (Phil Council for OFW Reintegration) and;

8)LGU participation in the OFW Reintegration program should be made mandatory. OFW Reintegration Program should be region/countryside-based.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, JOINTLY by the executive council member s of the OFW CONGRESS-Riyadh and participating members hereof with our respective signature this 8th day of May 2006, at Philippine Embassy, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.