06 December 2024, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, together with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) – OWWA hosted the Townhall Meeting with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on 29 November 2024, Sunday at the Sentro Rizal Hall of the Embassy.
The meeting was attended by over 120 Filipino community leaders representing forty-five (45) organizations, migrant institutional partners and Employment Permit System (EPS) workers from all over Korea.
Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega welcomed the DMW delegation headed by Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay. She highlighted the importance of the official visit in further strengthening the people to people ties between the Philippines and Korea, and pursuing efforts in promoting the welfare and interest of over 36,000 overseas Filipino workers in the country. The Ambassador recalled that Undersecretary Bay was instrumental in introducing innovative measures on EPS while she was assigned as Labor Attache in South Korea from 2010 to 2016, and noted that her official mission to ROK is doubly significant to the community as it is also her first overseas visit after her appointment as DMW Undersecretary.
Undersecretary Bay conveyed appreciation to the Ambassador for her strong support to the program and services of the DMW under the one-country-approach, and commended the continuing support and cooperation of the Filipino community organizations and their leaders in implementing these programs. She explained the new mandate and strengthened measures to promote the welfare and protect the rights of OFWs under RA 11641. She shared with the community leaders that her official mission includes senior-level discussions with concerned government agencies in Korea regarding the implementation status of the Pilot Project on the Caregivers and improvements on the Seasonal Workers Program.
The Undersecretary informed the community about the AKSYON Fund which distressed OFWs or their next-of-kin may avail of in cases of emergency or contingency for legal, medical, repatriation or financial aid, and assured them of appropriate assistance from the DMW through its overseas operating arm, the MWO, subject to existing guideline.
Director Rosemarie Duquez of the Pre-Employment and Government Placement Bureau discussed the directions and new program initiatives for Filipino EPS workers, while Director Geraldine Mendez of the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau presented the anti-illegal recruitment efforts and accomplishments of the DMW. The engaging open forum which followed after the presentations provided an important opportunity for the OFWs in Korea to clarify concerns, convey appreciation and offer recommendations regarding the EPS, welfare and reintegration services.
Also present during the Townhall Meeting were Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr., Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce D. Cornista, Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama, and Welfare Officer Cornelia DG Chanco. -END-
