OFW Congress

OFW Congress OFW CONGRESS was established and promulgated its Constitution and By-Laws on March 15,1999 Former Consul Jesus S.

The Executive Council known as the EXECON convened a CONCOM (Constitutional Commission) who adopted and promulgated its Constitution and By-Laws. In Article II, Section 1 of its Constitution and By-Laws states the following:

The OFW Congress recognizes the enactment of Republic Act No. 8042 known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Act of 1995. It shall therefore, act as partners of the State in

the protection of Filipino migrant workers and in the promotion of their welfare. Towards this end, the organization shall plan, initiate, advocate, and spearhead the drafting, lobbying, passage of motions, measures, resolutions and position papers on vital issues affecting the rights, welfare and economic well being of the OFW’s. Genuine unification of OFWs in Riyadh had always been elusive, despite efforts for unification of community leaders and the Philippine embassy officials for years. It was only in 1998, aptly perhaps as it was also the Centennial Year of Philippine Independence, when unification became an apparent reality through a plan to create the OFW Congress. The OFW Congress would be “a gathering of, and forum for, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Riyadh to discuss key issues, concerns and problems affecting them and their families back home in the Philippines. Its process shall be democratic, through open and honest election of the Congress leadership with grassroots mandate; and among its specific objectives are (a) to serve as the unifying entity, and (b) to develop the social, economic and political conditions of OFWs through opportunities to be provided by the Congress. On November 27 and December 4, 1998, elections were held 1998 at the OWWA Center to select the 21 Executive Council members from among 78 duly-registered candidates. The Committee on Elections, consisting of the Philippine Embassy staff, supervised the election that was perceived by the community to have been free and honest. On December 11, 1998, the inaugural session of the Congress was then held at the Philippine embassy grounds in Riyadh. As the first-ever deliberative assembly of OFWs in Saudi Arabia, and possibly elsewhere, the Congress served as the highlighting event of the Filipino community’s celebration of December as the OFW Month. On January 14, 1999, at the Philippine Embassy, the Executive Council selected its officers and assigned portfolios to the Council members.

8,000 OFWs gathered at OWWA Center to express their right of suffrage

It was a defining community experience when some 8,000 OFWs gathered to express their right of suffrage. (Many other compatriots were unable to vote because the OWWA Center could not accommodate the great number of people who gathered then.) Who would have imagined that we could hold such an exercise free of the goons, gold and guns so pervasive at home? Domingo, who was chairman of the COMELEC, likened it to a blooming in full of a flower in the middle of the desert, born under the most trying of conditions. It was unprecedented, an achievement that prides us all to say that we can hold such clean, free and honest election. It yielded us a rich harvest of goodwill and allowed us to look forward as a community united in our efforts to promote our common good. The structure of the OFW Congress definitely allows participation of organizations and individuals community-wide. In fact, the OFW Congress, through its General Assembly, is the forum for which organizations can discuss and resolve issues of common concern. So far, the General Assembly has convened twice through its Central Committee, and passed a number of resolutions. Organizations, leaders and members alike, are welcome to participate in both the Central Committee and the General Assembly, for the common good, the rights and welfare of fellow OFWs. No matter if we are all volunteers to the tasks, our greater vision is to seek a better place under the sun for OFWs and their families in a progressive Philippines.

07/06/2021
02/05/2021
23/01/2021

: SECURITY PRECAUTIONS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

https://bit.ly/3sNml6t

In view of the recently intercepted missile/drone attack against Riyadh, the Filipino Community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is advised to keep a vigilant watch on potential security threats and continue to abide by the security measures and protocols established by the Saudi government, as well as the laws, rules, and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Further security-related incidents, information on developing security situations on the ground, and requests for assistance may be brought to the attention of the following:

A. Assistance-to-Nationals Section (ANS) – Philippine Embassy in Riyadh

1. Landline Number - 011-480-1918
2. Hotline Number - 056 989 3301
3. E-mail Address - [email protected]

B. Assistance-to-Nationals Section (ANS) – Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah

1. Hotline Numbers – 055 521 9613 / 055 521 9614
2. E-mail Address – [email protected]

03/11/2020

B**G GO WELCOMES PROBE ON MALTREATMENT OF HOUSE STAFF WORKER IN PH EMBASSY IN BRAZIL; REMINDS PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO FILIPINOS

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed the investig*tion being conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs into the alleg*tions of abuse committed by Philippine Ambassador to Brazil, Marichu Mauro, against a Filipino household staff member.

“Paalala ko lang na ang mga opisyales ay mga public servants — trabaho natin na mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Dapat tayo maging tamang halimbawa sa bawat mamamayan, lalo na ang mga ambassador na ang mandato ay proteksyunan ang mga kababayan natin sa ibang bansa,” Go emphasized.

Go sternly reminded all public officials to strictly comply with the standards set forth in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and other applicable standards, such as those in the Foreign Service Act.

“Public office is a privilege and Mauro, like all other public servants, should be held to the highest of moral and ethical standards, not just in the performance of their official functions and responsibilities, but also on how they act as Filipino citizens,” explained Go.

Go reminded that public servants must lead by example, especially those who represent and carry the country’s name in the international sphere.

“The government, most especially in foreign service, has no place for anyone who does not respect human rights and maltreats others just because of their stature in life,” he stressed.

“Walang sinuman ang may karapatang mang-abuso ng kapwa, lalo na ‘yung mga opisyales natin sa mga embahada sa ibang bansa. Nandyan po kayo para pagsilbihan at proteksyunan ang mga kababayan natin, hindi para abusuhin ang mga Pilipinong maayos na nagtratrabaho dyan para buhayin ang kanilang pamilya,” he added.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the Senator also asked the DFA to ensure that suitable procedures are in place to protect the rights of both the accused and the victim, reiterating that due process must be followed.

On Friday, October 30, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that the DFA had officially opened an investig*tion on Mauro after formally obtaining an approval from President Rodrigo Duterte. Mauro is expected to arrive in the country on November 2.

The Foreign Service Act declares that all “Chiefs of Mission who are commissioned by the President as ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary shall not be investig*ted by the Board [of Foreign Service Administration] or separated from the service unless there is an express written directive from the President”.

A fact-finding team will submit an initial report to Secretary Locsin and report to the Presidential Management Staff within fifteen days.

In an earlier statement, Senator Go repeatedly slammed the conduct of the Ambassador, and expressed support for domestic helpers and other overseas Filipino workers, many of whom are victims of violence and cruelty abroad.

He offered assistance to the domestic helper in the video footage who returned to the Philippines from Brasilia, Brazil last October 21. Furthermore, he encouraged others to report similar incidents of verbal and physical abuse to his office.

“Walang karapatan saktan ng ambassador ang isang kasambahay. Wala pong may karapatang manakit ng kapwa. Kami ni Pangulong Duterte, uunahin namin palagi ang kapakanan at buhay ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino na nagtatrabaho ng maayos para buhayin ang pamilya nila. Lalo na ‘yung mga kababayan nating kasambahay na nawalay sa pamilya para lang makapagbigay ng maayos na buhay para sa kanilang mga anak” stated Go earlier.

“Bukas po ang aking opisina sa household staff na nagtrabaho para sa ambassador. Siya raw po ay nauna nang nakabalik sa bansa. Kung anumang tulong mabibigay namin ay ibibigay ko sa abot ng aking makakaya. Handa po kaming tumulong sa kanya," he pledged.

👊🏼🇵🇭

Stop sending our housemaid or household service workers to the middle east - that’s the solution.
12/10/2020

Stop sending our housemaid or household service workers to the middle east - that’s the solution.

It was not just asked once. It was separately tackled both in the Budget Hearings of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Senator Richard Gordon was in fact most straightforward in his inquiry — how is the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) dealing with (and fighting against) khafala?

30/09/2020
23/09/2020

Happy 90th Saudi National Day🇸🇦

05/08/2020

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 05 2020 07:32 AM | Updated as of Aug 05 2020 08:36 AM
MANILA -- At least 6 Filipinos were among thousands injured when 2 enormous explosions devastated Beirut's port, left 73 dead...

01/07/2020

A seven-month pregnant overseas Filipino worker (OFW) had died of COVID-19 with doctors rushing to successfully save her baby through Caesarean operation.

20/06/2020

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday 12 more Filipinos abroad caught COVID-19, raising the total tally of overseas infections among Filipino nationals to 6,140.

15/06/2020

An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who captured the attention of the netizens for giving a free meal every day to the affected expatriates in Dubai, UAE has received help from Emirates Loto. Emirates Loto invited the

18/05/2020

At least 25 Filipino health care workers have now died with Covid-19, despite making up less than 2% of the NHS workforce. Subscribe to our channel here: htt...

Happy Nurses Day!We are all proud of you frontliners👋🏿👋🏿👋🏿
12/05/2020

Happy Nurses Day!
We are all proud of you frontliners👋🏿👋🏿👋🏿

ED- Nurses Day

VOLUNTARY nalang mag bayad ang mga OFW sa Philhealth hindi na MANDATORY 👍Thank you to our beloved President Duterte, MAB...
04/05/2020

VOLUNTARY nalang mag bayad ang mga OFW sa Philhealth hindi na MANDATORY 👍
Thank you to our beloved President Duterte, MABUHAY po kayo🇵🇭

JUST IN: Pangulong Rodrigo , nagbigay na ng direktiba sa PhilHealth na gawin lamang boluntaryo ang pagbabayad ng premium para sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers, ayon kay Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. | via Mela Lesmoras

Out Secretary of Foreign Affairs is a real pro-ofws Mabuhay ka Sec. Teddy Boy Locain🇵🇭
03/05/2020

Out Secretary of Foreign Affairs is a real pro-ofws Mabuhay ka Sec. Teddy Boy Locain🇵🇭

An online petition on Change.org — which has gained 289,958 signatures as of posting —  has since been mounted to repeal the measure, given the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Prepare for the worst...Why do we have to take COVID-19 SERIOUSLYDr Vuong, a U.S. Surgeon with his 35-minute simple ex...
02/05/2020

Prepare for the worst...

Why do we have to take COVID-19 SERIOUSLY
Dr Vuong, a U.S. Surgeon with his 35-minute simple explanation why &
how COVID-19 kills, and somehow at a point, WHY doctors & frontliners CANNOT SAVE YOU

Foreword:
One might be disappointed on why Dr Vuong presents his credentials at intense details but this is the only way, how honestly a viewer can remove his/her doubts on authenticity of who Dr Vuong is, to date at current U.S. medical field.

Dr. Duc Vuong, World's #1 Weight Loss Surgeon, Author of 13 books, explains how coronavirus kills its victims. Talk with Dr. V Live at https://www.facebook.c...

Isang malaking pahirap sa mga OFWs parang tinamaan din ng Covid-19PhilHealth Contribution Table for OFWs and Seafarers. ...
01/05/2020

Isang malaking pahirap sa mga OFWs parang tinamaan din ng Covid-19

PhilHealth Contribution Table for OFWs and Seafarers. Overseas Filipino Workers land-based minimum contribution of P2400 per year. Payable in advance to up to 5 years depending on the employment contract of the OFW. Seaman / Seafarers contributions are based on computation similar to the formal economy.
Mar 8, 2020

Hi sa lahat ng OFW sa buong mundo! Ito po ang aming komento tungkol sa Philhealth Premium Rate. Sobrang taas, kakayanin ba ng mga OFW na bayaran ito? Dagdag ...

23/04/2020

PAGLILINAW TUNGKOL SA MANDATORY 14-DAY QUARANTINE FACILITY PARA SA MGA PAUWING OFW
(21 April 2020)

1. Mamayang alas-10:10 ng gabi, may paalis na Saudia Airlines flight from Jeddah to Manila via Riyadh. Lulan dito ang ilang OFWs.

2. Nauna nating ibinalita na lahat ng uuwing OFW sa Pilipinas sa panahong ito ay sasailalim sa mandatory 14-day quarantine pagdating sa Manila.

3. Ano ba talaga ang mangyayari pagdating ng isang OFW sa Manila dahil sa 14-day mandatory quarantine na ito?

4. Ito ang mangyayari:

a. Pagdating nila sa NAIA, sasalubungin sila ng mga taga OWWA na nauna ng nakapag-talaga ng hotel o iba pang pasilidad kung saan ikwa-kwarantin ang mga OFW.

b. Mula sa aiport, dadalhin ang mga OFW sa quarantine facility lulan ng bus na provided ng Department of Transportation.

c. Sa buong stay nila sa quarantine facility, bibigyan sila ng pagkain at wala ding bayad ang kanilang pag-stay doon. Hindi papayag ang Bureau of Quarantine na may papasok na outsider, tulad ng mga kamag-anak, sa quarantine facility.

d. Pagkatapos ng 14-day quarantine at sila ay neg*tibo sa virus, bibigyan sila ng parang "graduation certificate" na mag-gagarantiya na sila ay tatanggapain at papasukin sa kani-kanilang munisipyo o barangay.

e. Kung taga-labas sila ng Metro Manila, aayusin ng OWWA ang transportation nila.

If only we truly understood the nature of our Nurses’ job, then they shouldn’t have left. They deserve more than just pr...
14/04/2020

If only we truly understood the nature of our Nurses’ job, then they shouldn’t have left. They deserve more than just praises and applauds. Too late people🇵🇭, they have gone to where they’re treated and respected well. Shame on us..

14/04/2020
Healthcare workers in the Philippines are the best in the world but they are not well compensated. Matagal na silang so...
11/04/2020

Healthcare workers in the Philippines are the best in the world but they are not well compensated. Matagal na silang so called “HERO” wala pa ang Covid-19.

08/04/2020

News Release
Department of Labor and Employment
April 8, 2020

OFWs displaced by COVID-19 to get P10k

A one-time financial assistance of 10 thousand pesos will be given to overseas Filipino workers whose employments were affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“The Department of Labor and Employment has already prepared the guidelines of the DOLE-AKAP assistance program for OFWs to ensure its effective and streamlined implementation,” Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

DOLE-AKAP will cover regular/documented OFWs as defined in the 2016 Revised Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Rules and Regulations.

“Regular or documented OFWs are those who possess a valid passport and appropriate visa or permit to stay and work in the receiving country; and whose contract of employment has been processed by the POEA or the POLO,” Bello said.

The assistance program, Bello added, also covers qualified undocumented OFWs or those who were originally regular or documented workers but for some reason or cause have thereafter lost their regular or documented status.

“Also included in the program are those who are not registered with the POEA or whose contracts were not processed by POEA or the POLO, but have undertaken actions to regularize their contracts or status; or who are not registered with the POEA or whose contracts were not processed by POEA or the POLO, but are active OWWA members at the time of availment,” Bello said.

Balik-Manggagawa who are unable to return to host country in view of host country lockdown due to COVID-19 are also entitled to receive the 10 thousand pesos assistance.

Bello further said OFWs who have experienced job displacement due to the receiving country’s imposition of lockdown or community quarantine or having been infected by the disease will receive the cash assistance.

“They must be still at overseas jobsites, or in the Philippines as Balik-Manggagawa, or already repatriated to the Philippines; and must not receive any financial support/ assistance from the receiving countries/employers,” Bello clarified.

Further, OFWs coming from priority countries/territories will be given financial assistance.

“The Department shall provide financial assistance to qualified OFWs from countries with Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) presence and/or are heavily affected by COVID-19,” Bello said

These priority countries are Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.

For the Asia and the Pacific, OFWs in following COVID-19-hit countries will be prioritized: Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and New Zealand.

For Europe and the Americas, OFWs in the following countries will be prioritized: Canada, Cyprus, Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain, United States of America.

To apply for the cash assistance program, on-site OFWs must visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in their host country. For repatriated OFWS and Balik Manggagawa, they must apply in OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs).

POLOs and OWWA, as well as DOLE offices will be posting the detailed requirements of the OFW cash assistance program.

Bello said the funds for the DOLE-AKAP including other administrative expenses of Central and Regional operations to be incurred in the implementation of this program shall be sourced from DOLE COVID19 Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE-CAMP) in the amount of Php1.5 Billion. # # # GSR

01/04/2020
29/03/2020

Thank you Sadiq for your appreciation to our pinoy nurses - Shokran kater!

22/03/2020
19/03/2020
Expect more OFWs to be laid off and expect a lot of resignation or non-renewal of end of contract.👎
19/03/2020

Expect more OFWs to be laid off and expect a lot of resignation or non-renewal of end of contract.👎

Around 200 Filipinos working at the airline were among the workers served their termination letter on Monday

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COVID-19 be careful😷 Self-awareness Droplet transmission occurs when bacteria or viruses travel on relatively large respiratory droplets that people sneeze, cough, drip, or exhale. They travel only short distances before settling, usually less than 3 feet. These droplets are loaded with infectious particles.

H. E. Adnan V. Alonto, Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thank you Amba for supporting the creation of new Department of OFW. Mabuhay ka!

This is how the Prime Minister of Singapore crushed the strike by pilots of Singapore Airlines. Indeed a lesson to be learned. He means business !! As simple as that. Solution, not compromise. This is the principle. Great leader. Philippines will be the next to Singapore soon through the strong leadership of PRRDuterte 👊🇵🇭👊 GOD Bless President Duterte. 👊🏿🇵🇭👊🏿 MABUHAY!

Surviving an active shooter event RUN 🏃🏾 HIDE 👀 FIGHT 🤺

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