29 March 2023, Seoul- The Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office – OWWA in Seoul hosted the consultation meeting of the Filipino Community in South Korea with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on 25 March 2023 at the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal Hall.

OWWA Administrator Arnaldo ‘Arnell’ Ignacio was joined by OWWA Board of Trustees Captain Felix Rebustes, Atty. Antonio Partoza, Ms. Estrella Anonuevo and Mr. Emmanuel Regio, and OWWA Director Jocelyn Hapal. During the 4-hour activity, the program and services for OFWs were presented by the Embassy, MWO, and OWWA which was followed by an interactive discussion of employment, welfare, reintegration and OWWA membership concerns.

Representing Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega, Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. welcomed the OWWA delegation and participants, and highlighted the active cooperation and involvement of the Filipino community in the promotion of welfare and interests of Filipinos who are living, working and staying in Korea.

OWWA Administrator Ignacio enjoined the Filipinos in South Korea to maximize every opportunity to hone their skills, be disciplined in spending, and be clear and focused on their goals while working in Korea noting the favorable employment and services the host country provides to foreign workers. He reaffirmed OWWA’s commitment for its members with its mandate under the newly created Department of Migrant Workers.

The FilCom leaders discussed the concerns of their respective communities and presented their suggestions, while many also expressed their appreciation for the responsiveness of the programs and services of the Embassy and MWO-OWWA for them.

Administrator Ignacio also conferred certificates to the 245 graduates of MWO-OWWA Skills Training courses, such as Basic and Advance Sewing, Photography, Meat Processing, and Perfume Diffuser and Soap Making, and recognition of resource speakers. EPS workers Arnaldo Hicban and Michael Angelo Santos shared their success story of putting up Saranghae Chinguya Photography and Photo Booth in Pampanga after attending Basic Photography Classes conducted by MWO-OWWA. “Malaking tulong ang libreng training ng MWO-OWWA dahil nagamit namin ito, lalo na nung nagpandemic at wala kaming income, nakapagtayo kami ng negosyo”, EPS Hicban said. Before closing, OWWA Board of Trustee Estrella Anonuevo informed the participants of OWWA’s project to conduct trainers training for Reintegration counselors as part of the efforts to heighten awareness and reintegration preparedness among OFWs. -END-