As part of the 2023 Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos (MOF), the Inter-Agency Committee on MOF, led by the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) and Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), organized a forum and caravan of government services for Filipinos in Greece. The Hellenic Republic is home to about 17,000 Filipinos, mostly OFWs.
The event with a theme “Empowering Overseas Filipinos / OFWs Towards Sustainable Reintegration” was hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Embassy and Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Athens, and held on December 3, 2023 at Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens. It was participated by more than 150 Filipino community leaders from Greece and Cyprus, and Philippine head of posts in Europe.
Gracing the event were Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec of the Philippine Embassy, Labor Attache Cynthia Cruz of the MWO, Usec. Eduardo Jose A. De Vega of the DFA, and Carmelita G. Nuqui, President of the PMRW. They praised the immense contributions of overseas Filipinos in Philippine development and highlighted the importance of reintegration program of the government, upon their eventual return to the home country. Ambassador Palec also highlighted that the event fall within the period of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, noting that majority of OFWs in Greece is women.
Asec. Venecio V. Legaspi of the Department of Migrant Workers presented Full-cycle National Reintegration Program of the government for OFs and their families. He discussed reintegration programs and services of DMW such as Livelihood Development Assistance Program, Balik-Pinay Balik-Hanapbuhay, Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Maam at Sir, Financial Awareness Seminar-Small Business Management Training, Tulong Puso, Balikbayanihan Program, and Project ORION.
Admin. Arnell A. Ignacio of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) presented various programs and services for OWWA members and their dependents. These include social and health benefits, education and training assistance, welfare and reintegration programs, and repatriation assistance. He also showcased the newest AYOS OWWA Trucks equipped with powerful lights, WIFI, LED Screen for video calls, clinic, shower, kitchen, generators, sound system, collapsible.stage, which aim to help families of OFWs in the Philippines during calamities.
Head Executive Asst. Atty. Alma Royandoyan-Alli, who represented CFO Secretary Romulo V. Arugay, presented CFO programs and services for overseas Filipino youth. She highlighted Youth Leaders in the Diapora, Philippine Schools Overseas, Virtual Sentro Rizal, BaLinkBayan Program, and Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. Sec. Arugay who gave a virtual message said that our overseas Filipinos and OFWs’ welfare is among the top priorities of President Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos’ Administration, emphasizing that the government is “putting in place responsive mechanisms for the social welfare, repatriation, and reintegration of our returning OFWs.”
Ms. Gina Marie Esmaña of the Department of Tourism represented Balikbayani sa Turismo. She discussed tourism-related training programs of DOT for returnees, as well as their latest flagship program “Bisita, Be My Guest” to promote the Philippines to foreigners.
Usec. Cherbett Karen Maralit and Ms. Patricia Maranan of the Presidential Communications Office presented Freedom of Information Program, which could also be availed by overseas Filipinos who wanted to access public documents and information from the executive branch of the government.
Agriculture Attaché Kristine Jeanne A. Yap of the Department of Agriculture (DA) presented Agribusiness Opportunities for OFWs and Support Services of DA. She also highlighted the potential of OFs in promoting Philippine agricultural, fisheries and food exports.
Ms. Aiza Marie C. Advincula of the Department of Health (DOH) presented DOH Programs and Services on Migrant Health, highlighting the Philippine Migrant Health Network and the Inter-agency Medical Repatriation Assistance Program for OFs.
Atty. Eli Dino D. Santos of PhilHealth presented the Overseas Filipinos Program of PhilHealth, the health benefits they, including their dependents could avail.
Ms. Lydia E. Cabagnot of the Social Security System (SSS) presented the SSS Program for OFs, from membership benefits, loan programs, to savings and investment options.
Ms. Andrea Nichole Gatbonton of Pag-IBIG Fund presented via Zoom the benefits and services of Pag-IBIG to OF members. These include regular and MP2 savings, multi-purpose and housing loans.
The participants were able to engage with the officials directly during the open forum to raise issues that concern them. These include status of the bilateral agreement between Philippines and Greece on Social Security Agreement, why the need for registration with the CFO of dual citizens/ marriage migrants, payment and dividend with Pag-IBIG and SSS, coverage of the educational assistance program of OWWA for dependents living abroad, and what the government can do for recruiters imposing exorbitant fees, among others.
Successful migrant entrepreneurs from Greece and neighboring country Cyprus, also shared their inspiring success stories, as they ventured into business. They include Ms. Margarita Agana (AirBnb host), Mr. Edwin Castillo (Cargo forwarder), Ms. Gracia Celia Nickel (representative in Greece of the Association of PSOs), and Ms. Armelita Sunga (Agripreneur).
Simultaneous with the forum, representatives of the SSS, PhilHealth, DOT, PCO, MWO-OWWA Athens set up booth and offered their services to Filipinos in Greece in a one-stop-shop.
The Forum was formally closed by Labor Attaché Cruz. It was hosted by Ms. Patricia Maranan of PCO, Mr. Lance A.S. Velasco of PMRW, and Consul Judy Robianes of the Philippine Embassy.
By virtue of Proclamation No. 276, the MOF is celebrated every December in recognition of the significant contributions of overseas Filipinos to Philippine development and the restoration of Philippine democracy. The International Forum is one of the annual activities organized by the IAC-MOF for migrants and their families.
