BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: Philippine Ambassador Wilfredo C Santos assured Filipinos here of the embassy’s commitment to provide them with assistance as they celebrated Philippine Migrant Workers’ Day yesterday.
“On this day, I would like to reiterate to you my personal commitment to assist all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Qatar, whether you are in distress or not and provide quality and efficient consular services.
“The embassy will continue fast and polite services for our compatriots here,” said Santos at the event at POLO-OWWA office.
He said the celebration was “very significant because it is the 20th anniversary of the passage of RA 8042 or the Migrant Workers’ and Overseas Filipinos Act.”
RA 8042 was enacted in 1995 “to institute policies of overseas employment and establish a higher standard of protection and promotion of welfare of migrant workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress”.
Santos relayed the message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario stressing the government’s commitment “to prioritise protection of the rights and promotion of welfare of Overseas Filipinos”.
“While the Philippine government continues to lay the groundwork to create jobs, we in the embassies and consulates abroad will continue to assist you whether you are in distress or not,” he said.
The day is an annual celebration to pay tribute to OFWs’ contributions to the national economy. “Today is also considered a day of thanks because our government thanks Overseas Filipinos for their contribution to national development, progress and nation-building.
“You and your families constitute a significant segment of the Philippine society and we give due recognition to you on this day,” he added.
Labour Attaché Leopoldo B De Jesus and Welfare Officer Elenita R Cleofas also conveyed the message of Rosalinda Baldoz, Secretary, Department of Labour and Employment, and Rebecca Calzado, Administrator, OWWA, respectively.
They praised OFWs’ hard work and dedication as they serve their host countries and their contributions to the Philippine economy.
More than 40 Filipino organisations were honoured for their contributions to the Filipino community.The Peninsula
