The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the Inter-Agency Committee on the Month of Overseas Filipinos (MOF) led by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW), successfully conducted a two-day Migrant Fair at SMX Convention Center, Bacolod City on November 8-9, 2023. The Fair provided services to more than 800 migrant workers and their families, mostly OFW Family Circle members. The first day was dedicated to OFWs and their families from Northern Negros, and the second day for those coming from the Southern part.
The pre-MOF event was a convergence activity of government, civil society and business, and in line with the “Bagong Pilipinas” program and brand of governance under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson, and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, both of whom extended their gratitude to the overseas Filipino community and their families for their unwavering support. Governor Lacson shared that the provincial government has instituted programs and services for OFWs, including partnership with the International Labor for Organization on Migrant Resource Center and Help Desk, and providing financial assistance to distressed OFWs and to the families of those who died during the COVID-19 global pandemic and other calamities. Mayor Benitez, on the other hand, said that the city government has allocated P5 million in livelihood assistance for returning OFWs.
Special video messages for the participants were given by CFO Secretary Romulo V. Arugay, and PMRW Chair Carmelita Nuque who praised the sacrifices of our overseas Filipinos and their important contributions to national and local development.
Also present in the event were Bacolod City Councilor Cindy Rojas, Atty. Alma Royandoyan-Alli of the CFO, PhilHealth Regional Vice President William O. Chavez, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Occidental OIC Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal, Regional Vice President William Chavez, Dr. Lilani Benedian of the Social Security System, and OWWA Region VI OIC Regional Director Rizza Joy Moldes.
Participating agencies from the government, civil society groups and international organizations which set-up booths include the Provincial Government, CFO, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), DOH, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Tourism (DOT), DTI, International Organization for Migration (IOM), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), OWWA, Pag-IBIG Fund (Pag-IBIG), PhilHealth, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Social Security System (SSS), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
These organizations provided an array of free services that include agency consultation, health and wellness services, basic medical check-up, HIV testing and counseling, mental health counseling, digital x-ray services, distribution of vitamins and medicines, massage, issuance of Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card, updating of government records, passport application, skills training, photo booth, provision of information materials, freebies and tokens. OWWA also awarded financial assistance for their beneficiaries under the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program.
A mini trade fair was mounted by DTI and the Provincial Government and showcased various food and other products owned mostly by OFW families from Negros. Businesses that participated include Virgies Homemade Products, Margies Filipino Pastries, Claras Food Products, Sugar Valley Coffee, Gawahon Honey, Rensel’s Food Products, Nannette Agri and Products, Momshie/MFK Batuan, Laguerta Apolonio, Daniellle’s Food Products, Bush Bush Coffee, Mt. Kanla-on Coffee, ASMBI Foods, JN TRU Herbal Foods, Rama Chocolates, Mangkasroast Coffee/Cafe Norma, Llanera Tamarind Jam, Susan Dried Fish, Gracie’s Best by GraceBox, T Flavor’s, Alter Trade Philippines, Crigo Handicrafts, Saturn Arts and Fashion, Azatri Souvenirs, D’Bayong, and Lilas Pandan Livelihood Association.
To inspire the participants, former OFWs assisted by the government (mainly OWWA and DTI) shared their success stories. These entrepreneurs, now based in Negros, include Bernard Velasco Lamio, Archie Lamio Sayo, Rodson Segayo Riofrir, Epifanio Enojo, Nannette Thiel, Kristin Nicolau, and Jerann Uberas. OWWA also awarded cheques for their beneficiaries under the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program.
A job fair, organized by DOLE and the PESO Provincial Government, provided local employment opportunities to participants – a good reintegration program for returning OFWs. Employers that participated include PanAsiatic, RMA Manpower, TTEC, Negros Grace Pharmacy, and Toyota Negros Occidental. Job vacancy available are Customer service representative, manager, sales personnel, cashier, housekeeping personnel, driver, vehicle sales agent, licensed pharmacist, among others.
Participants were also treated to games, and dance and song numbers from VMA Global College and Training Center Performers (composed of Poseidon Dance Theater and Masskara Dancers), Orlan M. Desucatan (Champion ASEAN Flairtending Competition during the ASEAN Exhibit and Skills Expo 2023), Negros Occidental Singing Ambassadors, Federation of OFW Family Circle Talisay City Zumba Dancers, Ms. Janelle Maraya D. Paderog of DILG, Mr. Enrique R. Custado of CFO, and Former OFWs Ms. Desiree Camus and Ms. Jennife Llanera.
The most anticipated part of the program was the raffle draw, where participants got the chance to win fantastic prizes sponsored by IAC-MOF. These included bags of rice, grocery items, and home appliances such as microwave oven, rice cooker, washing machine and smart television.
The program was hosted by Mr. Ramon Albeza of OWWA and Mr. Lorenzo Lambatin, Jr. of PIA.
The MOF Migrant Fair in Negros Occidental was not just a celebration but also forms part of the provincial government’s ‘Abanse Negrense’ vision and a testament to the unwavering support and commitment of the Philippine government to our overseas Filipinos.
The Migrant Fair is an annual activity organized and conducted by the Inter-agency Committee on the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos (MOF), in partnership with LGUs. The month of December is known as the “MONTH OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS.” The celebration of the MOF in the Philippines started in 1988 when then President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 276, which institutionalized the month-long celebration every December. This is in recognition of the significant contributions of overseas Filipinos to Philippine development and the restoration of Philippine democracy. On the global scene, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed December 18 each year as International Migrants Day in 2000. On this important date, all member-states, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, will commence the occasion and disseminate information regarding the fundamental rights and freedom of migrants.
In 2007, an Inter-Agency Committee for the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day was created through Administrative Order No. 202 issued by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The IAC, which is a migrant civil society and government partnership, is tasked to come up with and organize activities for the MOF celebration. At present, it is now composed of the following members: Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (Chair), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (Co-Chair), Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health, Department of Tourism, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Presidential Communications Office, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Pag-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund, Social Security System, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking – Department of Justice, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Philippine Migration Research Network, and Migrant Forum in Asia.